wedding bouquets tips

Have you ever noticed how most bouquets look the same? Sure, they look beautiful, but they don't really have much variety.

They usually contain flowers and some type of greenery.

But who ever said that bouquets only had to contain flowers and greenery?

Why can't they contain something a bit more exciting?

Like what? I can hear you asking.

Well you can try anything really, it is only limited by your imagination.

Most brides spend hours thinking about what flowers they want in their bouquets and then what flowers they want as accents to the focal flower.

I wonder what what would happen if they had something else to choose from, instead of just flowers?

Does the person you are making the bouquet for have a favourite thing that they would love to carry down the isle?

You should always ask your bride what they would like in their bouquet because it doesn't have to be flowers.

There are plenty of other things you can add, such as:

- toy cars
- toy trains
- toy aeroplanes
- miniature teddy bears
- small dolls
- plastic horses, cats, dogs, or birds

Some other things you could add include candy, chocolates, bubble gum, fruit, vegetables, cup cakes etc. For my own wedding, I am adding lollipops to my bouquet!

You probably think I've gone mad! But trust me, people liked to have choice and they like to feel that they are different and unusual!

And adding interesting objects to the bouquet can be a good way to get the groom more involved with the wedding. For example, if the groom is a pilot, or likes cars, how about adding some toy planes or toy cars to the bouquet? This is sure to get him more involved!

Not all brides will want to do this, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have more choice!

And just because you are adding a few different things doesn't mean you still can't have flowers. All you do is combine the two, for example, you could have seven teddy bears and nine roses. It's really up to the person getting married.

As you know, weddings can be very stressful and taxing. So why not lighten things up a little and give people something to talk about for years to come?

wedding ceremony with cheap budget?

The question most brides-to-be or couples getting married have is “How do I make wedding favors for cheap?” Before I begin to answer this question, I want to establish one thing. When using the word cheap, it doesn’t mean that you’re not giving it all you have. You’ve already spent a lot of money to make this day perfect. Therefore, here are some cheap or inexpensive ways to make wedding favors. Save yourself a little money, you could even use it on the honeymoon!!

Here are some really cool ideas to save money and get two things done at once:

• Flower Arrangements

Make a small flower arrangement for each table setting. This can serve as both a favor for your guest and decorations for the table. You can normally find little glass containers at Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store for pretty cheap. Add some of your favorite flower(s) or a flower of your favorite color. You can even make it seasonal depending on when your wedding is. Have fun! Be creative!

• Candles

I know, everybody suggests candles for wedding favors. But find your favorite shape or scent and give each of your guests a small candle. This will make it personal for your guest. It will tell your guest you wanted them there and make them feel special. Use tulle and/or ribbon to make it more festive!

• Small Frames – One of my favorites!

You can find small frames and make them place card holders. Each of your guest will have a frame to take home with them. If you don’t want to assign seating, put a special message or quote in each frame. Your guest will have a special way of remembering you!

• Wine Glass Markers

Make wine glass markers with some wire and beads. Then find a small box and wrap ribbon around it. You need one for each guest. It will also be helpful to keep each other’s wine glasses separate!

• Personalized CD of you and your fiancée’s favorite songs!

You can buy CD’s at Office Depot, Staples, Wal-Mart, etc… for cheap. Then decide on 10 or so songs to put on there. Burn them to the CD; attach a label or write on each one. You can buy “print-on” labels wherever you buy the CD’s. Then give each guest one! It’s a cool personal gift.

You can pull off your big day and save some money. Don’t make it look cheap either. Make and create your wedding favors for cheap!! You can do it!! Remember to have fun and be creative!!!

wedding reception table tips

The trick with making floral arrangements for your reception and other areas is that you need to have either some advice or some professional help. Looking in bridal magazines and in floral magazines is all well and good, but those are pictures of no-budget arrangements. You, on the other hand, can’t necessarily spend your entire budget on the flowers.

On the tables

At your reception is where the majority of the flowers will go. Each of the tables, as well as the head table, will need a variety of arrangements to add color and style. And while there really aren’t any rules for what arrangements you can have, you will want to keep a few things in mind.

If you’re thinking about what kinds of arrangements to put on the head table, think about what pictures will be taken there. If your arrangements are so complicated that they will be distracting in a photo, then you may want to rethink your plans. Again, a florist can help you out with this kind of logistic problem, especially if they’re local. Many will already have experience in any reception hall, so they know what they need to do.

And for your guest, though large floral arrangements can look great in the reception hall, you have to consider that they will be sitting down at one point. Having larger floral arrangements blocking their view of the other side of the table or of the dance floor or head table is not a very good setup.

Think about where your guests will be sitting and what they will be able to see. They may have brought cameras to take pictures themselves, so you don’t want to hinder their view.

Ideas you can use

When it comes to creating drama and yet realistic floral arrangements, you will want to think about the height above all (no pun intended). A newer trend in floral arrangements is to have tall, think vases with a few stems of flowers in each, creating a larger bouquet at the top of the vase. This looks like a garden from the overall perspective, while giving your guests the ability to talk to each other.

On the other hand, you may also choose floral arrangements that are lower to the table. Some couples like to choose a combination of floating flowers and candles to add a little warmth to a table. And they also serve as conversation pieces as well.

Floral arrangements don’t have to come from bridal magazines or shows in order to be useful at your wedding. Look around and see what kinds of arrangements can be done. Talk to florists about what you need and see what they suggest.

About The Author

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

make expensive like wedding in small budget

If you have a smaller budget, you're probably afraid that all of your
guests will realize it. But honestly, a twenty thousand dollar wedding
isn't necessary. Many couples have done it for a lot less, and no one
could tell.

What's important

Like coming up with the original budget, you need to determine what the
most important things of the day are. Do you want the designer dress?
Must you have the reception at a fancy hotel?

Some things that you may want to spend money on: photography and rings.
These are two things that you will keep long after the wedding day, so
these are the things that should be number one on the planning list.
Don't skimp.

A cheaper ceremony

If you're able to have your ceremony outside, then that can be the least
expensive way to go. Not only are you able to take advantage of nature,
but many of the times, it will be free for you to use. Places that may
work are parks and botanical gardens, friend's backyards, and beaches.
Of course, these are rather weather dependent, so you'll have to have a
backup plan as well.

Find someone that you know who is a minister to do the vows, and ask
that their marriage gift be the fee. This is a perfect way to include
your friend and save them the trouble of giving a gift.

Skimping on the reception

The best way to keep your costs low for the wedding is to have the
ceremony and reception in the same area. Even if you do have to pay a
fee, then it's only once. Another way to cut down on reception costs is
to have a light afternoon cocktail hour in lieu of dinner. You can serve
appetizers and drinks instead of a pricey meal.

You don't necessarily need a band to keep the fun going either. A lot of
couples have found that a friend with a multiple CD player and a good
variety of CDs is just as good as a deejay. And most friends are willing
to help out at the wedding if they can anyways.

Be creative when you go out and look for all of the things you need for
your wedding. You'd be surprised at how many things you can save on. One
couple made their own programs, decorations, and had it at a friend's
house for about three thousand dollars. The guests exclaimed that they'd
been to more expensive weddings that weren't half as beautiful.

Something to think about.

wedding entertainment- booking tips

Music sets the mood for any event and can be considered the most crucial
part of beautiful wedding day planning. If the wrong DJ or entertainment
is selected, it can set the wrong atmosphere and the mood can be in
distress and even ruined. Here are a sprinkling of pointers when
contracting a wedding entertainment vendor.

General Advice

Wedding ceremony entertainment is an remarkable part of any wedding
reception. Knowing how to choose your nuptials entertainment long before
your wedding ceremony will information you to avoid the frustration of
being dissatisfied with your entertainment.

Music can set the mood for your celebration and get people out of their
seats and onto the dance floor. Good communication, written agreements,
and a thorough interview and selection process will advice you avoid
problems and input you stay on track so that everything runs smoothly.
Wedding package entertainment is one of the most significant parts of
your wedding ceremony because music and entertainment can set the tone
for your entire celebration.

Booking Early

This will give you time to audition performing groups or interview disc
jockeys and make sure that their musical selections and style of
delivery meet your own requirements. There are many entertainers who can
do a great job, but it's prominent to hire someone that will play the
music you enjoy because it's your beautiful wedding day. You should
start searching for your nuptials entertainment very early in the
wedding ceremony planning process. You should start searching for your
nuptials entertainment very early in the nuptials planning process. You
should start searching for your wedding entertainment very early in the
wedding planning process.

Interviewing your Entertainment Contractor

You should plan on meeting with any marriage entertainment professionals
you are considering for your beautiful wedding day ceremony or
reception. It will also give you an opportunity to obtain out the terms
of each potential entertainer's contract, what kind of pricing will be
involved, and what you need to do to book your entertainment. This will
allow you to get a good idea of the kind of entertainment that will be
provided. This will allow you to get a good idea of the kind of
entertainment that will be provided. This will allow you to get a good
idea of the kind of entertainment that will be provided.

Recommendations

Instead of blindly searching through the phone book for wedding ceremony
entertainment, ask your friends and relatives for any recommendations
they may have. This can advice you to avoid entertainers who don't
deliver what they promised or who will not give you a good experience.
It's a lot easier to narrow your follow up down if you have referrals
from people you trust. It's a lot easier to narrow your hunt down if you
have referrals from people you trust. It's a lot easier to narrow your
seek down if you have referrals from people you trust.

The Contract

You may even need to make changes to your contract if dates, times, or
other logistics change significantly. Since your ceremony entertainment
is a very significant part of your wedding package, you don't wish
anything to get in the way of having this entertainment at your wedding
ceremony. Communicating regularly with the performer(s) who will be
providing entertainment at your wedding ceremony will prevent any
conflicts later on in the planning process. Good communication, written
agreements, and a thorough interview and selection process will advice
you avoid problems and suggestions you stay on track so that everything
runs smoothly. The person or group of people providing your wedding
package entertainment need to be kept informed of any changes in your
wedding plans.

cool i have found the history of wedding cake

I dont know this is for real or not but you better check out this, some
i think was true the other just gimmick but quite fun if you read it.

After the wedding dress and bride's bouquet, maybe nothing is so
powerful a wedding symbol as the wedding cake. It's so ubiquitous, many
people just assume the wedding cake has always been a part of wedding
celebrations everywhere.

Like all popular beliefs, there's some truth to that idea, though of
course the real facts are much more fascinating and a whole lot more
colorful.

The Wedding Cake's Early Days

During the heady days of the Roman Empire, wedding guests were served
not one cake but a sumptuous collection of many small treats and
pastries as a kind of wedding party favor. In some parts of the empire,
one single cake was dropped over the bride's head at the reception, as a
way of wishing the couple good luck in the future.

Later, during the Middle Ages, many guests would bring small cakes to
the wedding celebration. The cakes were all piled atop a single table,
creating the beginning of the tiered wedding cake known today. As a
tradition, a bride and groom that could still kiss over the pile of
cakes were considered to have good luck in the upcoming marriage.

Modern Times

Wedding cakes began to change and grow in the 19th Century, when new
means of refrigeration could keep their ingredients fresh for much
longer periods.

The modern wedding cake is a kind of homage to St. Bride's Church, a
famous English Medieval Chapel. The church's spire includes several
spires, much like a tiered cake.

Many modern couples have adopted the wedding cake design to display
their own interests or passions. For example, a couple fascinated by the
Renaissance may choose to decorate their cake with decorations specific
to that time period. The bride and groom figures atop the cake may also
reflect their hobbies and pastimes.

Because modern wedding cakes have become so elaborate, their preparation
time has steadily grown. Wedding planners are encouraged to make
arrangements with a pastry chef up to three months in advance of the
wedding reception.

Wedding Cake Traditions

Some popular wedding cake traditions taken from around the world include:

- a bride who cuts her own cake will have to work hard all her life.

- if the groom lays his hands over the bride's hands as the cake is cut,
they will share their possessions their whole life.

- the bride cuts the first piece of cake as a way of hoping for children.

wedding speech

The wedding speech, when well thought out, rehearsed and properly delivered, could bring a wedding reception or dinner to life. A good wedding speech will entertain and make the guests feel great about being present for the celebration. Here are a few tips for writing your own wedding speech if you don't have any idea what to say.

Thank Anyone Important

A wedding is an ideal occasion to thank many people. Name the people you want to give thanks to and why. For example, if you are the best man, you can thank the groom for being his best friend. If you are the bride, you can thank your parents for raising you to be independent and smart.

Tell a Story

People like to hear stories about other people. Say something you know about the person you will be talking about because you were also there when it happened, or even if you had only heard about it. For example, you and the groom went to the same college but attended lectures late, if at all in the mornings because you both played poker all night long. The groom won often and made enough to pay for one semester's tuition.

Give a History Lesson

This is very similar to telling a story. Go over the significant milestones, if you are familiar with them, about this person, the bride or groom. That would include the schools they attended, the jobs they had or the hobbies they are in to.

Disclose a Secret

Everyone likes to hear and tell secrets. Say something no one knows about the person you will be talking about but may be surprised to find out. For example, tell the guests that the bride once auditioned for a popular television show. Or, that the groom had a crush on his third grade school teacher, who by the way is a guest tonight.

Say Something Funny

Any occasion would be fun if humor were part of it. If you can make people laugh with a funny story, everyone will feel like they are having a good time and enjoy themselves.

You can't force a laugh. However, the stories you tell or the situations you describe can end up getting a few guests chuckling without you trying to make it funny.

Give Unsolicited Advice

It's customary for someone to give the newlyweds some advice. The most common is anything on marriage. If you are making a speech and you are married, you can share your wisdom on how to be a good spouse. A common advice is to resolve your argument before you both go to sleep. Another would be that the wife is always right. Although these examples are important, admittedly they have been over-used. What you can do, if you can't think of advice that no one else has ever told, is to make these original or unique by describing how the advice has helped you in your own marriage.

Reveal Your Feelings

You can express your feelings about the people you will be talking about in your speech. If you are the father of the bride, tell your daughter how proud you are of her and that you will always be there for her. In addition, you can tell your new son-in-law how happy you are to have him as a new member of the family.

Get the Audience Involved

This idea is a bit unconventional and almost crosses into the job of the MC, however you might consider getting the audience involved by asking questions about the couple. You can ask about the craziest thing the couple has ever done. Or, you can ask about why they would make a good couple. You can come up with any opened ended question that requires some explaining. Some would be glad to participate just to be the life of the party. By doing this, you'll loosen up the crowd and make the celebration all the more fun.

You should consider it an honor and a privilege if asked to make a speech at a wedding reception. The newlywed's family asked you because they trust you and have respect in you. They know that they can count on you to do a good job. Your moment to shimmer in the spotlight is near. Good luck and have fun.

Copyright © 2006 By Leroy Chan

Tips for Planning the Perfect Military Wedding

The day has finally arrived. After all these years waiting for the right one, you finally find that special someone. Soon a marriage proposal comes your way, one that will surely change life forever. You finally get the opportunity to plan the wedding you’ve dreamed about since childhood. All the plans begin falling in place, when suddenly things change dramatically. Your soon-to-be spouse learns that they are being deployed oversees. All the hopes and dreams for happiness appear lost, at least for the moment. You still long to get married, but there is so much to do, and so many unique circumstances that other couples don’t face. From finding a chaplain to the financial costs of planning a rush wedding, the task can seem daunting.

There are others too who have lived the military life from day one and are now proud to be a part of it themselves having enlisted. Having grown up with parents in the military, changing from base to base, and city to city, the couple longs for a military wedding that brings with it the traditions and pride lived their entire life. Yet, as everyone in the military knows, there are many tried and trued rules and regulations on doing things right. Planning a wedding and making sure to stay within all the guidelines can be overwhelming. The bride needs answers on how to do it and these answers aren’t found in the pages of the numerous bridal magazines or bridal books out there. But hope is not lost.

As everyone knows, there are vast differences from a civilian wedding and a military wedding. The ceremony may be held at the base/post chapel. The officiant would be a military chaplain. The Arch of Sabers or Swords (dependent on the branch of service) is used. And special attention needs to be placed on the formalities of the invitations and seating arrangements.

To help plan a military wedding, here are some tips:

#1 - Buy Wedding Insurance. Even if the couple does not choose to have the traditional Military Wedding, insurance (unless they are having a quick small civil ceremony at the courthouse) will save headaches and cover the loss of deposits or money due to changes or cancellations. When marrying into the military, the never-ending changes of deployment dates – quick deployments, delayed deployments, and extended deployments are common. It’s best to plan ahead and be safe. Take this example: The date has been set for a year out. The deposits have been paid and invitations prepared. Then a set of orders arrives for the bride or groom that reads, “Report to your duty station 19 May 2007. Unfortunately, the wedding date has been set for 25 May 2007.” You now have to change everything and re-order invitations. Unless working with very military friendly vendors, there is a real risk of losing deposits. Insurance is a way to safeguard against this.

# 2 - Learn the language. For a new bride that is marrying into the service, there is a whole new set of lingo to learn. Among the most common would be the formalities of the Arch-is it Swords or Sabers? The answer - Sabers are used for Air Force and Army. Swords are used for Coast Guard, Marine Corps and the Navy. National Guard and Reserve go by the same etiquette and regulations of their service branch (i.e. Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Reserve, etc). Also, the majority of military personnel do not own a Sword or Saber. However, they can contact the Chaplain, normally he/she will have these for this use or his/her Commander will. There are also so many other terms you want to become familiar with to be knowledgeable.

#3 - Question often asked -- Can the bride’s “swat” with the sword be omitted from the ceremony? Answer – For traditions sake, it is better left in the ceremony. When the Arch has been formed, the bride and groom will then pass through the Arch of Saber or Swords (this symbolizes the welcome and safe transition into a new life together as a couple). The couple pauses as the last two men lower their sabers or swords in front of the bride and groom and then at that time the man to the right will then lightly “swat” the bride of on the rear and say “Welcome to the Army,” or the appropriate branch of service. This step should only be omitted if the bride is the service member.

#4 – It’s important to know the proper seating arrangements for guests and also where the bride and groom should stand, including who stands on which side. The standing arrangement is determined by whether the service member being an officer or being enlisted. A guest list will have Commanders, other Officers within the unit, and peers. It’s important to know the proper seating for guests and also for the receiving line. All persons that are associated with a service member (i.e. their Commanders, Officers and peers within the unit or office) should be invited to the wedding. When seating the groom or bride’s Commander and his/her spouse, they are to be seated with the family of the bride or groom, whichever group they represent. Commanders are usually seated in the front row when the bride or groom’s parents cannot be in attendance. All other higher-ranking Officers are to be seated directly behind the family of either the bride or groom.

Sounds overwhelming doesn’t it? Well now with the help of an innovative website, Military Weddings at http://www.Military-Weddings.com, you can get all the answers you need. MilitaryWeddings.com is a complete wedding planning site solely for the Military community. It provides everything to plan a Military wedding from engagement to honeymoon including who to contact in the Military installation; protocol and etiquette in seating arrangements; writing announcements; sending out invitations (the correct way of addressing an envelope to commanding officer); the ceremony itself; Military chaplain services and whether to use the base or post chapel. Plus, a complete shopping center for your entire wedding needs including stationery, gifts, bride and groom basics, and everything needed for that special day.

Planning your wedding can be fun and exciting with the right tools. Stop by today and enjoy a wedding that you can remember for years to come.

GiGi Rena Rogers is an Army Wife of 11 ½ years, the Founder of Military-Weddings.com and CEO of CT Publishing. For assistance and resources to plan you Military Wedding you can contact her by visiting http://www.Military-Weddings.com or by emailing romantic@cableone.net. Article is free to be reprinted as long as the author’s bio remains intact.

Wedding & Anniversary Grooming Tips for Men

Whether you’re the main attraction (groom) or a trusty sidekick (groomsmen), wedding days call for men to look their best. And even if your wedding is a thing of the past, you’ve always got anniversaries to deal with. Here are some men’s grooming tips to handle both the wedding and everything that comes after (or any formal event you are invited to).

Grooming Tips for Men

* Looking good takes some work and time, so begin a basic skin care routine of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing early to get the greatest results. Once a day (or twice if you have oily skin), wash with a liquid cleanser to remove debris and clear pores. Follow with a high-performance moisturizing product to keep skin smooth, hydrated and looking great. Two to three times a week, exfoliate with a face scrub to remove dead skin cells and improve skin’s surface.

* If you’ve never spent time on a skin care routine before, consider purchasing a kit that contains all of the products you will need to get started. It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what products to use for what (and can make excellent groomsmen gifts, too!).

* Treat individual problems, such as under-eye circles, fine lines and acne, with products specifically formulated for them.

* For superior shaving without irritations like ingrown hairs, use products that are gentle and don’t contain irritants such as fragrance, menthol or alcohol. Avoid foamy products, as these do not lubricate skin adequately. Change your blade after 4-5 uses to keep from going over the same place more than once due to a dull blade. If possible, shave in the shower as the steamy air will open pores and allow hairs to be shaved closely.

* For super-smooth shaving the day of the big event, skip shaving the day before and then shave in two steps: First, shave with the grain with very light pressure. Second, reapply a thin coat of shaving cream and shave against the grain for smooth results.

* Regularly wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that will remove dirt without stripping away natural moisturizers. Make sure to get a haircut or trim a few days before the wedding or anniversary, but don’t opt for a new style the day before since this could turn out to be a disaster.

* Nails & Hands: With all the hand-shaking and hand-holding going on, it’s a good idea to make sure nails are clean and trim, and hands are moisturized and free of grime. Why not splurge for a manicure? More and more men, from businessmen to movies stars, are getting them these days, and trust us: Sparkly polish will not be involved.

* Wedding and event planning begins months, and sometimes years, ahead of time, so take advantage of the wait by getting fit with a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine.

* Don’t stink up the place: Make sure to wear deodorant. Keep breath mints handy for those slow dances.

* Some wedding experts recommend men skip cologne at weddings, citing the fact that there will already be a lot of perfume in the air, as well as scent from the flowers. If you choose to wear cologne, keep the scent light and the application to a minimum.

* For anniversaries, gifts don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Plan a getaway weekend somewhere, even if it’s only two towns away. Book a spa appointment for the two of you and spend a day relaxing. Or instead of an expensive dinner, try revisiting a place you ate at when you first started going out, or a place you two have always wanted to try. The point is to celebrate your marriage any way you see fit.

Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.

How to Make A Wedding Music Box

Many love music boxes. For the music box and antique collectors who are creative and like trying new things, making their own music box creation would be a great way to test their creative ability. In addition, if one knows a friend or relative who is soon to be married, the gift of a hand-made wedding music box would be unique and special. This special gift would be sure to bring very special memories for years to come. Here are step-by-step instructions for making a "Hawaiian Wedding Song" music box taken from Sharon Ganske's book, "Making Marvelous Music Boxes".

Materials Needed

For the base, Including Music Box Accessories: Teddy Electronic miniature movement

Decorative Accessories for Music Box: Coordinating fabric, 3"?x7" Matching Thread

Tools: Iron Sewing Machine

Step-by-Step Assembly

Step One: Make a pouch for musical movement by turning and pressing both 3" edges of fabric under 1/4". Turn over another ¼" and press again. Using a sewing machine, sew a ¼" seam on both edges, with matching thread.

Step Two: Fold fabric, right sides together. Sew another ¼" seam along both unfinished edges. Finish off raw edges and turn right side out.

Step Three: Using a medium zigzag stitch, and stretching waistband, sew one folded edge on pouch on the inside waist on teddy, halfway between center and side seams. Insert electronic musical movement so the button is facing outward.

Note: Remove musical movement before laundering.

Music Box Variations

Alter this music box for any number of gift-giving occasions.

-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into the waistband of a festive pair of boxer shorts. Place an electronic musical movement into the pouch. This would make a neat gift for Father's Day or Christmas!

-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into the waistband of a Halloween costume. Place an electronic musical movement into the pouch. There are many Halloween tunes to choose from.

-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into a child?s pillowcase. This is a cool way to get those kids into bed on time!

-Using the assembly instructions for making a pouch, sew one into a child's winter coat. This provides company for the child on those long walks from school. Change the tunes for different holiday seasons.

-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement at the back of a photo frame for a wedding or baby shower gift.

-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement in a jewelry box lid for any special occasion for mom.

-Using industrial strength glue, glue an electronic musical movement in a lunch box-what a fun experience for lunchtime!

-Using Tacky glue, glue an electronic musical movement on top of a present. When handing the recipient the gift, press the musical movement and enjoy the reaction!

For the music box and antique collectors who also enjoy making their own music boxes to add to their collections, giving the gift of a hand-made wedding music box would be a special treasure to that special someone. Why not try to make your first music box toda

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

About The Author

Monique Hawkins is the small business owner of the online music box store, "Monique's Music Box" located at http://www.my-music-box.com/. She enjoys sharing information with business owners that will help them attain success. For additional exciting information about how Funded Sponsoring Franchise Systems are Revolutionizing the Home Based Business Industry, Whether You Have a Business or You're Looking for One, visit http://moniquerh.cashflow123.com

Wedding Insurance - Say "I Do"

Many brides ask whether or not they should purchase wedding insurance. In my opinion the answer should be an unequivocal "Yes." According to TheWeddingReport.com the average cost of a wedding today is more than $26,000. That's more than some people pay for a car, and you wouldn't think of not insuring your brand new car, would you? It just makes sense, then, to purchase a wedding insurance policy that will cover many of your wedding costs if you need to postpone or cancel the ceremony and reception. This type of wedding insurance is crucial especially if your cost of rescheduling the wedding will be very high.

Many couples overlook wedding insurance when planning a wedding because they don't believe they will need it. After all, there is nothing romantic or exciting about wedding insurance and what could possibly go wrong. If you were to ask couples who had their wedding and reception planned in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina hit, what advice do you think they would give you. Now a hurricane is an extreme weather condition, but wedding insurance provides coverage for just such a weather event. Wedding insurance, however, will not cover postponement of your wedding due to a rainy day.

Once you've selected your vendors and submitted your deposits, you have made a serious investment. Wedding insurance protects your investment throughtout the planning process, and the event itself. Consider these events that are covered in your wedding insurance policy.

*the caterer or your reception venue closes down unexpectedly before your wedding
*your wedding photographs are damaged or lost
*a family or wedding party member is injured or becomes ill or dies
*lost or stolen wedding rings*
*your wedding attire (if your dress is damaged or fails to arrive)

Sorry kids, you're out of luck if either of you gets cold feet. Changing your mind at the last minute is not covered by wedding insurance.

Just like any other type of insurance, you can purchase wedding insurance in a number of different policies. When compared to the cost of the event itself, wedding insurance is relatively inexpensive and as important to your special day as your bridal gown, cake and flowers. Whether you are having a destination wedding or a large wedding in your home town it is a good idea to purchase insurance for your wedding and a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Ideas For Wedding Reception Table Arrangements You Want To Know

The trick with making floral arrangements for your reception and other areas is that you need to have either some advice or some professional help. Looking in bridal magazines and in floral magazines is all well and good, but those are pictures of no-budget arrangements. You, on the other hand, can’t necessarily spend your entire budget on the flowers.

On the tables

At your reception is where the majority of the flowers will go. Each of the tables, as well as the head table, will need a variety of arrangements to add color and style. And while there really aren’t any rules for what arrangements you can have, you will want to keep a few things in mind.

If you’re thinking about what kinds of arrangements to put on the head table, think about what pictures will be taken there. If your arrangements are so complicated that they will be distracting in a photo, then you may want to rethink your plans. Again, a florist can help you out with this kind of logistic problem, especially if they’re local. Many will already have experience in any reception hall, so they know what they need to do.

And for your guest, though large floral arrangements can look great in the reception hall, you have to consider that they will be sitting down at one point. Having larger floral arrangements blocking their view of the other side of the table or of the dance floor or head table is not a very good setup.

Think about where your guests will be sitting and what they will be able to see. They may have brought cameras to take pictures themselves, so you don’t want to hinder their view.

Ideas you can use

When it comes to creating drama and yet realistic floral arrangements, you will want to think about the height above all (no pun intended). A newer trend in floral arrangements is to have tall, think vases with a few stems of flowers in each, creating a larger bouquet at the top of the vase. This looks like a garden from the overall perspective, while giving your guests the ability to talk to each other.

On the other hand, you may also choose floral arrangements that are lower to the table. Some couples like to choose a combination of floating flowers and candles to add a little warmth to a table. And they also serve as conversation pieces as well.

Floral arrangements don’t have to come from bridal magazines or shows in order to be useful at your wedding. Look around and see what kinds of arrangements can be done. Talk to florists about what you need and see what they suggest.

Wedding Hair Style – Achieve The Perfect Beautiful, But Formal Look

With formal hairstyling trends taking a step back from the rigidly crafted styles of yesterday, today's wedding hair styles are free, natural and a great deal easier to attain than they were a few years ago. But even though this is true, the bridal hair style is probably the most important style that you are going to choose for quite a while so it is best served by a little research and practice before the big day.

On your wedding day, hundreds of eyes will be on you, and your chosen bridal hair style can either complete the picture or detract from it. That is why it is so important to choose the perfect formal hairstyle well in advance of the big day so that you and your stylist can get it right and make custom additions to your wedding hair style. Nothing is worse than a hastily crafted coif decided upon only minutes before the ceremony.

You can begin your search for the perfect bridal hair styles and bridesmaid hair styles by browsing through style books that highlight formal updos and popular wedding hair styles. While looking, keep in mind the style of dress that you have selected and choose wedding hair styles that compliment the style, era and cut of the dress. The same thing goes for your bridesmaids dresses.

Another important thing to consider when choosing bridal hair styles are the styles, lengths and textures of the bridal party's hair. For example: if every member of the bridal party save one has short hair, selecting a French Twist as your only bridesmaid hair style would not be very feasible. But you could do a French Twist on the one member with long hair and select different wedding hair styles for the rest of the party as long as it doesn't bother you that everyone is not going to look identical.

When it comes to coordinating your wedding hair styles for your wedding party, you do not have to choose cookie-cutter styles for each member of the party. Look instead at bridal hair styles that compliment each member's personality, facial structure and hair texture. Let your wedding party members have some say in how they would like to wear their hair and set some practical guidelines such as whether or not the bridesmaid hair style should be pinned up off of the neck or allowed to flow free down the back.

Then, coordinate the individual bridal hair styles by using matching accessories and placing them in similar patterns on each member. These pointers apply for the bridal party only; the bridal hair style should set the bride apart from the others and be more intricate and beautiful than all other wedding hair styles chosen by members of the wedding party.

Once all bridal hair styles have been chosen, have a practice run where all of the ladies meet at the same salon and allow the stylists that are going to do the wedding party's hair on the big day have a crack at crafting the intricate wedding hair styles that you have chosen. While it may cost you a little bit of money to do this, it will save you a great deal of headache on the big day.

wedding cake

When my son and daughter-in-law held a knife and cut the first slice out of their all traditional, butter-cream frosted, lavish, and very expensive wedding cake, I couldn't help smiling. If we had been in the early Roman times, the wedding cake would not be one huge, tasty, decorative creation, but many small, possibly cupcake-sized, salty wheat cakes. In addition, the guests wouldn't be eating the cakes but throwing them at the bride or crumbling it over her head for fertility and single women would try to catch the crumbs for the same reason they catch the bridal bouquet today.

In the olden times when children didn't make it to adulthood due to childhood illnesses, fertility was important, and that is probably the reason the wedding cake tradition was born. Later on during their empire, Romans turned their salty cakes into sweet cakes. This time, they made a slightly larger bridal cake with many smaller cakes surrounding it. The smaller cakes were brought as gifts by the guests. These cakes everyone ate, but still crumbled some of those over the bride.

After the Roman conquest of the British Isles, Roman customs influenced the natives who baked dry cakes for their weddings and drank their ale with them. In old England and Ireland, there also was, and still is, the custom of a groom's cake, dark in color and made of dried fruit.

When the English sent their pioneers into the new world, they also sent their customs with them. First European settlers in the Americas made fruitcakes for their weddings because their preservation was easier.

The fancy wedding cake with several tiers was created through the initiative of the French, and although scorned by the English at first, it was later adopted and became the norm through all Europe. The wedding cake, owing to its long history, became an individual affair for a modern wedding party, with different shapes and styles and with a rich variety of flavors, fillings, and icings.

A wedding cake, after the vows, has become a vital part of wedding ceremony in our day. It is assumed that a wedding cake reflects the style, elegance, and delicacy of the couple's upbringing, in addition to their enthusiasm for their marriage.

Not only the ingredients and the making of the cake, but the ceremony of its cutting has become another reception by itself. Traditionally, the bride and the groom cut the cake together, with groom placing his right hand over the bride's right hand to cut the first slice. Then, they feed each other that first slice while everyone applauds. Sometimes, the top tier is saved for the first anniversary or the birth of the couple's first child, whichever comes first.

In some new world weddings nowadays, smearing each other with the icing has been taking hold as a custom, adding hilarity to the reception. My favorite wedding cake anecdote is a real one that may have seemed like a disaster at the time; however in hindsight, it has become an amusing joke. Yet, since the marriage has lasted, the incident might have been a good omen.

Several years ago, we attended a large wedding reception. Over the several steep stairs to the main reception hall, the wedding cake had to be carried rather than wheeled. I don't know why nobody thought of a ramp but two waiters, one on each side, took the cake up the steps.

Suddenly, a waiter tripped and the cake fell on the floor, but with luck or heavenly intervention, the top two tiers stayed intact. A pandemonium broke out with the bride's mother fainting and maintenance people scurrying about. Since the reception hall was part of a big hotel, the management came up with their version of a wedding cake. Several small cakes were arranged as the bottom layer with the two top layers of the original cake placed over them.

Judging from that experience, I think it might be a good idea to have a just-in-case second cake. After all, cakes are loved by most anyone and they don't go to waste.

Wedding Pictures

Once a wedding date has been set, one of the first tasks of the future married couple is to line up a photographer to take what they hope will be priceless and cherished pictures - ones that you and others will look at for many years.

If the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds any truth, your wedding pictures will be especially important to you. Many couples mistakenly think of wedding pictures as the staged pictures of the bride, groom and the wedding party. Start thinking of your total set of wedding pictures as a memoribilia that tells a story of a bride and groom's special day - in preparation for, during and the final moments before the honeymoon.

Because your wedding will be in front of possibly hundreds of your closest family and friends, choosing a wedding photographer to visually document your special day should be taken very seriously. Forget about having your cousin's best friend who "takes great pictures". Your day must be put into the hands of a professional, perferably the best you can find for your budget.

Here some questions and factors to consider before making the commitment to hiring the services of a wedding photographer.

1. What will the style of your wedding be? Will it be formal, informal, or semi-formal? The answer to this simple question will play a key role in hiring the best photographer. For example, if your wedding will be in a formal setting, hire a wedding photographer that is traditional in their photographic style. Traditional photographers tend to notice and consider details when it comes to photography, angles of shots they take, balance, etc.

2. Photographers can vary greatly in price. That is why it is important to set a budget and adhere to it as closely as you can. Often you can apply the saying "you get what you pay for" but not always. Expensive photographers generally are high in quality but you may be able to find one that is just starting out with his/her business. In this case they may take terrific pictures and their prices are still in line with what you can afford.

3. Before signing a contract with a wedding photographer, be sure you always read the fine print of the contract so you know the services that you will be getting. Never leave it to chance and assume a photographer is going to perform his/her photographic duties the way you think they will. If you have extra requests or needs, be sure they are written in the contract. Once your day goes by it is too late to quibble over what should have been photographed. Better to have no surprises and that means a solid contract agreed upon by both parties.

4. Choose a photographer that is open to what you as a couple would like as far as your photographer's duties. Some wedding photographers have been doing weddings a long time and can get somewhat immune to the wishes of the couple, the wedding party and guests. Select a photographer that is easy going and can take a little direction if needed. On the other hand, don't try to tell the wedding photographer how to do his/her job. A happy medium is desireable.

5. Finally, (and this is an important one) be sure to ask to see a complete portfolio of the wedding photographers work. Be certain that is the style you would like. Sometimes photographers will "farm out" weddings and send another photographer that acts as a subcontractor for the photo studio. Be sure you ask exactly who will be the photographer on site that day and ask to see their portfolios as well. Remember, the best wedding photos are the ones where there are no surprises on the part of the bride and groom.

Proper thought and research when choosing your wedding photographer will result in some of the most memorable pictures of your lifetime. Good luck!

making wedding invitation tips

Wedding invitations are very expensive. If you're trying to cut costs
for a wedding and stick with a budget, cheap wedding invitations are the
way to go. It is important to try to save money, but not sacrifice
quality. There are many options for cheap wedding invitations that will
give you the most for your money.

Print it yourself: This is a great way to save a lot of money. Most
people already have a printer. If not, it is usually easy to find a
family member or friend who has a printer available. There are many
designs and themes to choose from. Whether the wedding is formal or
casual, spring, fall, or winter, it is easy to find cheap wedding
invitations for any style wedding.

Once a perfect set of printable cheap wedding invitations is selected,
it is important to have some computer knowledge so the invitations print
properly. If the bride, or whoever is in charge of printing invitations,
needs some computer help, have someone who knows computers assist in the
creating and printing process. There are typically many settings that
affect the final appearance of the invitations. Someone with little or
no computer knowledge may not be able to get the look they want as
easily as someone with more computer know-how.

Assemble it yourself. If you're looking for something a little more, but
don't want to spend the money, find an invitation that let's you put it
together yourself to save on costs. With cheap assemble it yourself
invitations, a bride can choose the most elegant of invitations. Typical
do-it-yourself invitations are one single sheet, but
assemble-it-yourself invitations can come complete with ribbon, tissue
lining, and specialty paper, to name a few things. It really is a
wonderful way to enhance the look of wedding invitations without
dropping big bucks. Again with assemble-it-yourself invitations, it is
important to have computer knowledge to obtain the best look. It is also
important to have knowledge of paper craft making so the invitations are
assembled properly.

Doing-it-yourself cheap wedding invitations may be a little more time
consuming than traditional invitations, but it will save money and help
stick with a budget. There are so many options you are sure to find the
perfect invitation for your wedding day. And with cheap wedding
invitations, you will have more money to spend on things like the
honeymoon.

wedding vows

Original wedding vows are words you put together to make your feelings
known for your spouse. Wedding vows are statements of love, that you are
willing to spend your life together, and these words are your own to
express how you feel about spending the rest of your days helping each
other through life. Writing your own vows can be a little difficult if
you are nervous about what to say, but you will find that you can write
your vows if you concentrate from your heart.

Where will you come up with the ideas to write your vows? You need to
sit down with a sheet of paper or at your computer when you are feeling
most loved, after making love, or after spending the day together with
the person you will be marrying. This is when your feelings are fresh,
and expressing them with words will seem easiest.

Writing words to express your feelings will be original additions for
your wedding day. In using vows that you write yourself, you are telling
the other person just how special they are, because you took the time to
write down exactly what your hopes, dreams, and feelings are when
talking about your lives together.

Your true emotions will be expressed in words you want to say to the
other person. Don't try to impress those who are in the church or those
who are watching the ceremony but only think about talking to your
spouse and the entire process will be easier for you.

How should you get started in writing your own wedding vows? Original
words of love are points you want to include in what you will be saying.
Remember whispering sweet things in your love's ear about how you want
to hold him/her all night long? Take that feeling and express it in ways
that tell your spouse this. Write words that are not taken from other
weddings. Using words that are every thing, you have ever wanted to tell
him/her but you have never found the time to say aloud.

Write original words that are letters from your heart. I love you, I
need you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want to
share everything in my life with you. I will be there in the good times
and in the bad times, I want to be your crutch through life just as I
need you to be the shoulder I cry on at the end of the day.

Make your vows words that express just how you hurt when you aren't near
the one you love, but that you hurt because you love this person that
much. Original wedding vows are expressions of yourself and you can say
it plainly in words that you have said time and again, or you can
surprise your loved one by creating stories about how much you love
them, and how you are going to spend the rest of your life showing them
how much you love them.