Proper Techniques for Carrying your Bridal Bouquets
On your wedding day, you’ll be the center of attention. As you walk down the aisle on the most important walk of your life, all eyes will be fixed upon you. Of course you want to be an elegant bride who makes a smooth entrance and gracefully glides down the aisle without looking uncomfortable, feeling awkward, or dropping your bouquet.
To feel confident and self-assured, you’ll want to make sure you are holding and carrying your bouquet appropriately. Not every bouquet is carried the same way. Typically, the type of bouquet and features of your gown will determine the way your bouquet should be carried.
Not all bouquets are carried alike! Determine the proper technique for carrying bridal bouquets based on the style, shape, and size of your bouquet and the features of your wedding gown.
Round, heart, cascade, and crescent bouquets are normally held and carried in front. These types of bouquets should be low enough to reveal the details on the neckline and bodice of your gown and are held with both hands as if your arms are resting on your hips. Although the natural tendency when excited or nervous is to bring the bouquet to your waist, chest, or even higher, try to avoid this so your arms are not held in an awkward, uncomfortably position and so everyone can see the beautiful details of your gown.
Small, lightweight and delicate bouquets, such as nosegays, clutch bouquets or single blossoms, can be carried to your side with one hand and are generally held at the same level as a bouquet held in front. If your nosegay is mounted in an elaborate or family heirloom tussy mussy (a small, Victorian style, metal or glass, cone-shaped holder), you may choose to proudly display it by holding and carrying your bouquet in the front instead of the side. If you choose a tussy mussy holder for your bouquet, you’ll notice that there is generally only enough room to hold it securely with one hand. For proper positioning, carry the tussy mussy upwards in your hand with your forearm bent slightly so it is horizontal (parallel to the floor) while your elbow rests comfortably on your hip.
Floral pomanders (bloom-covered balls or cones suspended from a ribbon) can be carried to the side in the same manner as a nosegay or in front in the same manner as a round bouquet. Typically, adult attendants carry pomanders to the side with one hand while children carry them in the front with both hands.
Arm bouquets feature long floral stems and should rest naturally and comfortably across the inner bend of your elbow so that the bouquet is cradled in your arms with the blossom end of the flowers facing away from your body. This holding and carrying technique is not only comfortable, but it also allows guests on one side to see the open blossoms as you walk down the aisle and guests on the other side to see the open blossoms as you walk back up the aisle.
Specialty bouquets such as fans, baskets, and prayer books should be carried according to their size and proportion. Smaller specialty bouquets can be carried to either your front or side, while larger baskets should be carried down and to your side.
Whatever style you choose, it’s always best to hold and carry your bouquet in the most appropriate and natural way. You will not only look regal and confident as you walk down the aisle, but you will also avoid disappointment with your wedding portraits by ensuring that all photographs capture you holding your bouquet comfortably without raising it too high and covering portions of your neck, face, or the exquisite details of your gown.
Kim McMullen is the owner and lead designer of Something Floral and Something Spectacular Custom Floral Design, both based in the metro Detroit area. Formally educated in fine/visual art, floral design, interior design, and communications, she is best known as “The Picky Bride’s Florist™” and “The Premier Silk Floral Designer™”. Specializing in weddings and special events, Kim creates award-winning floral artistry, in both fresh and silk/artificial mediums, for clients across the United States and Canada. Her designs have been published most recently in Florists’ Review, Woman’s World, and The Bridal Bouquet Book. For local or out-of-area special event floral design services, visit www.SomethingFloral.com and www.SomethingSpectacular.com
Wedding Caterer Questions to Help you find the Right Caterer
Whether you are looking for a company that does catering for weddings in the West Coast, catering for weddings in the East Coast, catering for weddings in the deep South or catering for weddings in a far away land, your choice of a wedding caterer may well be the most important decision you make. A good wedding caterer can cope with emergency situations, such as unexpected guests, or electrical outages (yes, they can happen), or on-the-spot requests for specially prepared foods.
The job of a good wedding caterer is to make you feel like you’re a guest at your event. What can you do to ensure against a bad, mediocre or uninterested caterer? Actually, you can do quite a lot. Be prepared, know what to expect and expect what you want. We suggest the following wedding caterer questions that also include “thoughts” for yourself before signing any contract or making any commitments. We welcome these questions and so should any other reputable wedding caterer.
The following Wedding Caterer Questions cover the Most Important Things to Determine When Hiring a Wedding Caterer:
- Is the caterer licensed? Does the caterer possess a current permit from the Health Department for catering for weddings in your city? Ask to see it!
- Is the caterer insured? What if his staff spills gazpacho on that new white sofa? Is the staff insured if they injure themselves in your home or on your property? Ask the name of the insurance company.
- Does the caterer work out of an approved, inspected kitchen or commissary? An approved and certified workplace is regularly inspected and meets Board of Health standards. The water supply is also regularly tested.
- Is your caterer a “full service caterer?” Can he/she take care of all your party needs, from tables to tents, chairs, glassware, linens, flatware, china, steam trays, bar, paper and plastics, etc.? Can the caterer assist you with arrangements for flowers, liquor, music, sites, photographer or video crews? Which aspects of the wedding will they not assist with?
- How long will the caterer remain on the job? Is it in writing? What happens if you wish to extend your party longer than originally planned? Will there be an overtime charge? If so, how much?
- Will there be enough food? Exactly how much food will there be? How large are the portions? Make the caterer be specific. Will the chicken breast be four, six or eight ounces? Will the sirloin be prime or choice? What happens to leftovers?
- Ask how long they have been catering for weddings in your area. This helps to determine not only their longevity but if they would be familiar with the other vendors you might be using.
- If you are not familiar with a caterer’s work, will he give references? You should ask for three recent events. Don’t be afraid to call these people and ask how they feel about the caterer’s work and attitude.
- Will the caterer help you create the ambiance you want and assist with other non-food-related aspects of your party? They might not all do this, and that is fine, some want to focus solely on the food and no other details, which does not make this caterer a bad choice, it’s just something you should know.
- Will the caterer sign a written contract, specifying any and all charges? Make sure you have a signed copy.
- Does the caterer seem enthusiastic about your party?
Once you have discussed these wedding caterer questions with the different wedding caterers you are interviewing, you should have good idea (other than knowing their pricing at this point) of which wedding caterers you would feel comfortable working with. And then you need to schedule a tasting!
By Debbie Young, Owner & Event Coordinator, Classic Catering, Monterey, CA
If you are planning a wedding in Monterey County, California, Classic Catering will be happy to work with you to create a menu that appeals to your tastebuds AND your pocketbook. You can find out more about our services at www.montereycatering.com.
A Summary of Wedding Planning Steps
It seems it’s never too soon to put together your wedding planning steps for that momentous day! While each individual wedding requires more particulars than outlined here, the following wedding checklist timeline remains the basic rule of thumb for wedding planning. Following this step-by-step wedding checklist timeline will keep you organized and get you to the big day.
Shortly After the Big Announcement
As you begin to have ideas about the wedding, sit down with both families to formulate a budget. Remember, people who last planned a wedding twenty or thirty years ago (such as your parents) can be surprised by today’s costs. Expect to be flexible.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 12 to 18 Months Prior
Starting your wedding planning steps 12 to 18 months prior is minimum. Popular sites could require two years’ lead time. This time frame gives you more options and a chance at better rates if you can lock in current pricing.
- Hire your wedding planner. You’ll need a wedding planner to review your budget and help you make the most of it. He or she will steer you from pitfalls and save you time, money and stress.
- Book a ceremony and reception site next. If you haven’t hired a planner, visit bridal shows, peruse the Internet, or look in current magazines or directories for event locations.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 9 to 18 Months Prior
- For the next few months, layout your wedding planning steps to include hiring the photographer, caterer, videographer, officiant, and entertainment, if not included with the site. Prime dates book quickly, as do good vendors. The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll secure your first choice vendors at the best rates.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 6 to 9 Months Prior
- Wedding and bridal party dresses should be ordered, pre-wedding letters mailed, overnight accommodations reserved for wedding guests. Also, order wedding cake, flowers and transportation for the wedding and reception.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 4 to 6 Months Prior
- Reserve rehearsal dinner location, establish bridal registries, rent tuxedos, order wedding invitations, reserve any necessary rental equipment that is not included with your site or the caterer.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 2 to 4 Months Prior
- Book your honeymoon and secure arrangements for wedding night accommodations. Now is the time to schedule appointments for hair, makeup, facials, massages and spa treatments. Order reception favors.
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 2 Months Prior
- Mail wedding invitations, obtain marriage license, purchase bridal party gifts, create ceremony program, have your engagement photography session.
Now, take a deep breath. The last month is going to be a doozie, but a manageable doozie:
Wedding Checklist Timeline: 1 Month Prior
- Confirm all vendors, finalize food and beverage choices with your caterer or reception site. Schedule a final dress fitting (tuxes for the gentlemen) and plan seating arrangements for your reception. Choreograph the rehearsal and family seating at the ceremony.
- Establish a timeline for the wedding day. If you haven’t hired a wedding coordinator, a friend or family member should be designated to oversee your wedding day.
- Just two weeks before the wedding, honeymoon reservations should be finalized or confirmed and arrangements made for going-away transportation, as well as wedding night lodging confirmed.
I heartily recommend you plan absolutely nothing other than hair, makeup, manicure, and pedicure appointments for the final week before the wedding. This hectic week will be consumed with out-of-town family and friends and last-minute details. Congratulations, you are at the end of your wedding planning steps; now, you need to find time to relax alone.
On the wedding day, your professional or designated coordinator will resolve problems and render decisions at both the ceremony and reception, overseeing the flow of events. You and your groom should focus on enjoying each other and the love of family and friends!
“Stress Free, Leave the Details to Me,” is the tried & true philosophy of Robbin Montero, California Wine Country wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding. Robbin is the premier wedding planner in the Northern California Wine Country, transforming any vision into a perfectly designed wedding creation. Robbin and her weddings have been featured in The Knot, Brides, Elite Magazine, Your Wedding Day, Vine Napa/Sonoma magazines and ImportantOccasions.com. Travel & Leisure magazine calls Robbin, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” www.a-dreamwedding.com
Bride Groom Wedding Songs — The First Dance
The first dance can be extremely traditional or downright fun, it’s all dependent on “your” style. Are you a conventional type couple who enjoy time honored and established customs or do you want to kick it up a notch and surprise people with a little fun. Either way is perfect when you are following your personalities and characters – this day most definitely should reflect who you are, not what you think anyone else would want or expect to see!
Bride groom wedding songs usually have some personal significance to the couple — whether sexy and slow or fast and funky. So when you are considering bride groom wedding songs, where should you look for inspiration? There are a few places that may give you the insight you need to find the one that both of you think is absolutely perfect for the moment. The first “place” most couples start looking, and honestly the place that usually most bride groom wedding songs are pulled from, are significant songs from your past.
In the end, the search for the perfect First Dance Song can take hours, days, even weeks to finalize, so just have fun and, most importantly, find one that you two feel best portrays you as a couple.”
While it isn’t a necessity, a song with personal significance may be the perfect place to start. From the song that was playing on the jukebox (or in today’s techy world, the docked iPod) when you two first met or the one that was roaring at the club you two first caught glances, many use that significant song as their choice and the reasons are obvious. It was the first song you two shared a moment to, why not make it the first song you start sharing a life to? But what if you don’t remember the song that was playing when you first met (that would be my problem, as I have no memory), or there wasn’t a song playing when you first met, or the song that was playing was Ton Loc’s Wild Thing or Funky Cold Medina (not necessarily appropriate – or maybe it is – if you lean toward the fun & funky)? Think through your entire relationship, is there a song that you always find you and your fiancé enjoying when it plays, or a favorite band that you have in common?
A lot of couples do something fun and engaging like starting out with an overly sappy, “meaningful” love song then stop it abruptly in the middle as their DJ or musician changes the music that takes them to a tune that will help get their guests on their feet and start celebrating with them. This can be a great way to get the party going at the reception! And if you are willing to put a little more effort into it and enjoy putting on a show, how fun would it be to do something like the couple in this video did. . .Click here for a Fun First Dance idea
For some fantastic ideas on how to create fun for you and guests, we highly recommend the book The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever! — a truly great guide to creating an unforgettably fun celebration. Learn more about this great guide by checking out our review of the book in our Resources & Reviews section.
Choices for bride groom wedding songs are almost endless, so you may be better off starting with a wide scope and narrowing it down by preference. For instance, start by asking yourself questions like if the song should be old or new? What type of tempo do you want? Do you want one that is well known or something completely new to most of your friends and family? In the end, the search for the perfect song can take hours, days, even weeks to finalize, so just have fun and, most importantly, find one that you two feel best portrays you as a couple.
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.
“Create Your Own Wedding — Own Your Style, Not Someone Else’s — and do it all while keeping money in your pocket!”
The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever! — A Book Review
The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever! is authored by Peter Merry who owns Merry Weddings and lives in Southern California with his wife. Peter served nationally as President of the American Disc Jockey Association, and his entertainment background includes performing stand-up comedy at the Improv and hosting his very own talk radio show. He describes himself as a “Wedding Entertainment Director” and is passionate about helping couples create unforgettably fun wedding receptions, and he proves it with all his great tips and ideas in The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever!
“If you could only choose three words to describe your dream reception . . . What 3 words would you choose? If one of your top choices is FUN, this book was written just for you.”
What do most people remember most often about a wedding? Surveys indicate that the most memorable moments occurred at the reception celebration following the wedding ceremony and this book helps you create many of those memorable moments with a wealth of fun ideas from personalizing the wedding party’s grand entrance to memorable father/daughter dances and learning creative ways to liven up the dinner hour. As Peter puts it . . . “If you could only choose three words to describe your dream reception . . . What 3 words would you choose? If one of your top choices is FUN, this book was written just for you.”
Most brides and grooms say they want to have FUN at their reception, but can’t really pull the trigger on what “fun” is. They know they have been to weddings that didn’t really cut it in the entertainment department, but can’t quite put into words how to make their own wedding better and more entertaining for their guests.
YourWeddingDollars.com believes The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever!
It is possible to be both realistic and creative and to spend wisely without cutting corners. However, planning and research are essential in order to create an outstanding, memorable experience for your friends and family and that is why Peter goes over the planning and research in detail. His example weddings and lists of pros and cons provide brides and grooms with a number of realistic examples of how their planning might turn out given different choices you might make, and his years of experience as a “Wedding Entertainment Director” allow him to address a variety of options, such as the daytime wedding vs. the evening wedding, scheduling a wedding at different times throughout the year, when and how to schedule photos, and what type of entertainment to hire.
Peter helps you to think about just what your priorities really are. If your wedding reception is a “photography event” or a “flower event” or a “food event,”, then The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever! won’t be of any help to you. But, if you truly want to entertain your guests and have The Best Wedding Reception . . . Ever! . . .
then we highly recommend this resource.
Weddings can be a big expense and take months if not a year or two to plan, reading a few books and articles on how to invest your time and money only makes sense. If FUN is a priority to you, then we recommend you get a hold of this book, and you can do so through Amazon.com.
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.
“Create Your Own Wedding — Own Your Style, Not Someone Else’s — and do it all while keeping money in your pocket!”
Wedding Ideas on a Budget that Still Create a Stylish Wedding
Couples often fear that a “low-cost wedding” is a “sad-looking wedding”. Well, it is not! You can achieve a stylish look without borrowing money from friends, family, and your bank, so you don’t start your marriage in debt. So let’s put wedding ideas on a budget in perspective.
More often, couples forget their wedding is, in reality, a celebration of their union. Today, most of the weddings we witness are full event productions, with extravagant décor, special effects, and impressive entertainment. But what about celebrating your love with just a few classic and stylish touches? We at La Dolce Idea always try to enhance each celebration with the couple’s personality: their heritage (Asian favors, for instance), their personal taste (a delicious papaya and mango cake), their favorite destinations (a European theme with signature monuments as centerpieces), and other elements about them. I assure you your guests will remember your wedding more than an aerial performance by acrobats dressed in royal blue, your “wedding color”.
For Wedding Ideas on a Budget, here are some general tips for saving money and having a wonderful celebration. More articles will follow, focusing on flowers and décor, and on the catering aspect of your special day.
- Always set a budget. You may have flowers as a priority, but you should first determine how much you can spend on the entire occasion, including engagement ring, wedding accessories, cake, honeymoon, etc. Avoid the little details that will be easily forgotten (those tossing petals might be cute but not necessary). Pay wedding costs with a credit card to earn frequent-flyer miles toward your honeymoon, but make sure you pay the balance in full each month in order to avoid incurring interest charges
- Negotiate - It never hurts to ask. People in the wedding industry are usually quite familiar with budgets and are willing to work with you. Explain your situation and maybe your florist will throw in a flower girl basket and lend you some accessories, but always be very respectful for the quality of products your vendors are providing
- Besides trying to keep your guest list to a reasonable number, try to keep the number of attendants as small as possible: the larger the bridal party, the more you will spend for gifts and flowers
- Instead of spending a lot of money on the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, be creative: an intimate BBQ at a relative’s house could be the perfect solution. Having a good time with some good company is the main goal, and your wedding party will definitely not remember the food they ate or the restaurant they went to for the rehearsal dinner
- Great wedding ideas on a budget would include not just look at wedding “venues” when you look for your wedding or reception location, but also contact local parks that have beautiful gardens or gazebos, historical sites, or museums. Sometimes places like that allow weddings for donations instead of expensive fees, and their natural landscape won’t need elaborate decorations or additional floral arrangements. Just make sure you always ask about the total capacity, restrictions about alcoholic beverages, whether rentals are included, and if they have a preferred vendor list. Also, choose a site that offers everything. You may think a raw space (such as your own backyard) will save you money, but the cost of all the rentals (tables, chairs, linens, china, a tent depending on weather conditions, etc) will set you behind… and you will be more stressed!
- When selecting your wedding invitation, choose one that will only require one stamp (no square invites, for instance), and purchase a package. A coordinated set of stationery has an elegant appearance, especially if the designs on each item are similar, not identical. If you can, try to have your reception information added on the ceremony invitation to eliminate the expense of the reception card. Instead of expensive letterpress printing method, opt for thermography or offset printing in one color (two shades of ink might match your wedding scheme but add printing costs). You can even print your own invitations: many stationery stores today provide beautiful sets of wedding invitations, including the invite, envelopes, RSVP cards and RSVP envelopes. Hiring a friend with a knack for graphic design to help can also save you money. Just remember to follow proper wedding invitation etiquette before printing your invitations
- Look for a dress at sample sales, trunk shows, and outlets; you can sign up for some designers’ sample-sale listings online and at all of your local bridal shops and salons. This will get you a discount on the dress, and you may even score some freebies like a veil or alterations, which can add up to hundreds of dollars in the long run. As an alternative, follow the Brides Against Breast Cancer Tour: you can find gorgeous wedding gowns at discounted price and benefit the Making Memories Foundation, dedicated to cancer patients. For your bridesmaids, you can try regular women’s clothing stores, including department stores. For a spring or summer wedding, use sundresses in your scheme colors and your bridesmaids’ sizes: they will thank you because they will have a dress they can actually wear again. You can also give bridesmaids a color and have them choose the dress in similar shades. You can follow the same advice for flower-girls: frilly spring and Easter dresses often work very well for them. Shoes can be found just about anywhere, not just at bridal stores.
- Be creative to come up with wedding ideas on a budget. For example, talk with your other engaged friends to see if there are any small wedding items that you can all choose together, buy together, and use at your own weddings, such as ring pillows and aisle runners. Some brides even share veils, and pair them with different headpieces, tiaras, or fresh blooms that match their bridal bouquet design.
- To make your ceremony extra-personal, ask a close friend or family member to officiate
- Choose inexpensive entrée items such as chicken and pasta for your reception meal, and then ask your chef or caterer to create gourmet sauces to make those meals extra-special (think about a pasta dish with a fabulous lobster-garnished sauce)
- Ask talented friends or relatives to help with your wedding. Your skilled friends could make cookie favors, make your bridesmaids’ wedding-day necklaces or bake a dessert for the rehearsal dinner as their wedding gift to you. It’s a win-win!
- Instead of hiring two bands and paying two separate fees, ask if a few pieces of the band that will be playing at the reception can entertain your guests during the ceremony and cocktail hour
- Hire a videographer to work just from the ceremony through the first dance rather than for the entire wedding
- Limo rental is another expense you can cut unless you get a really good deal. Borrow or rent a car, or check and see if someone has a classic car that you could borrow or that they would drive you around in
- Find well-priced favors on the Internet. There are tons of sites that offer anything you desire, from beach, to Asian, black-and-white, and vintage. Another great idea is to make a charitable donation in honor of your guests: they will definitely appreciate it
- After the event, donate your flowers to a hospital or nursing home; it’s a thoughtful thing to do and also a tax deduction
- Take a mini-honeymoon instead of the two-week Caribbean getaway. If your romantic plans far exceed your travel budget, consider setting up a honeymoon registry. These services eliminate the financial burden by allowing wedding guests contribute to your honeymoon budget online. If you decide to pay for your own, choose a destination close to home for your first vacation as husband and wife, and you can plan the more exotic vacation later on. Many four- and five-star resorts throughout the country offer lavish honeymoon suites and packages that can easily compete with those in the Caribbean and other popular honeymoon destinations. Besides, you’ll save on airfare, especially if you book in advance. Cities like Chicago, Austin, Miami, and New Orleans are loaded with personality, charm, and endless possibilities for honeymooners who want to save money and stay close to home
As you can see there are many ways to look at things for Wedding Ideas on a Budget and still create a stylish wedding. Check back for Part II, or better yet subscribe to YourWeddingDollars.com so you will be notified when Part II is published.
Weddings that tell a beautiful story: Yours. This is what Sabrina Cadini, Professional Bridal ConsultantTM, and owner of La Dolce Idea in San Diego, California, is passionate about. Each wedding should reflect the couple’s personality, and Sabrina adds that magic touch to make it an event that couples and their guests will always remember. By offering truly personalized service and money-saving solutions for every budget, she fuses creativity, Italian-style (where she’s from) and professionalism into impeccably planned celebrations. Find out more about Sabrina at www.ladolceidea.us
Rehearsal Dinner Toast Speech – Creating a Masterpiece
Weddings are a time of chaos and insanity. With so much going on, many people often forget details that they normally wouldn’t, even with the best intentions. Often, this can include preparing a rehearsal dinner toast speech. We’re all so focused on the big wedding day speeches that we forget how important the rehearsal dinner can be. The rehearsal dinner is usually made of the couples’ closest friends and family and is a very personal event. So whether you are the engaged couple who would like to ask one of their family members or friends to give a speech, or a family member or friend who wants to give a speech, don’t forget the speeches for the rehearsal dinner.
And for the speech givers, don’t let the stress of feeling like you just don’t know what you will say bring you down, speeches can actually be quite easy to write! And you can have fun while doing it. So fear not if you’re feeling like a chicken with its head cut off or a fish out of water (too many clichés there), because you definitely are not alone. Get out your pen, shake up your creative mind (yes, you have one), and craft the masterpiece you see in your head.
There are a few options that lie before you in the rehearsal dinner toast speech category. If you want to knock your speech out in record time, consider doing a little web surfing and finding one that’s already been written for you. For many, this can provide a solid foundation to start with and allow you to tweak it here and there to suit your fancy and your style. With a little tweaking and very little time, you can have a perfect speech prepared in no time flat. After all, most wedding speeches follow the same guidelines so this quick and easy method is quite popular!
Once you have your speech ready to go, consider having a run through of your rehearsal dinner toast speech. At dinner some night with your wife, your sister, your roommate, your mother, anyone – cling your spoon to your glass and announce you would like a make a toast, then lift your glass and “spit it out.” You’ll be more relaxed when it’s the real deal if you’ve practiced it a couple times on “real people,” not just in front of the mirror. Speeches should be warmhearted and funny, but also consider the newlyweds personalities – the more personal your speech is, the better! Reminisce with a story – storytelling about either the bride or the groom or about them together as a couple will surely put smiles on the faces, or “oohs and aahs” on the lips, of the guests.
Another big part of the rehearsal dinner toast speech is to consider how long it should be. If it’s too long you may lose the interest of your audience unless you have a natural gift for entertainment. They’ll be waiting for you to stop gabbing so they can get back to the party. If it’s too short, they’ll feel like it was cut-off and wonder what your point was. As a rule of thumb, your great speech need only be about two minutes long. This is plenty of storytelling time to get out the details out you want to elaborate on but still touch on other things that may come to mind as you start talking.
Again, don’t feel like you have to do this from scratch. I mean if you don’t consider yourself a natural writer, comedian or entertainer, then seeking help is the smart thing to do! Finding words from another source and then building on those words with personal touches is the way most of us handle these moments. There are many rehearsal dinner toast speech ideas out there, but one of my favorite resources is Instant Wedding Toasts. Their team of professional speechwriters has composed a comprehensive collection of speeches for a wedding, and when looking for a Rehearsal Dinner Toast Speech, you will find these ideas under two of their categories – the one called “Family & Friends” and “The Complete Wedding Speech Package” is the other. Plus any of the speeches are easily changeable to accommodate the situation of speaking at the Rehearsal Dinner.
The main thing is to speak from your heart; if you do that it will be a wonderful speech for sure!
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.
“Create Your Own Wedding — Own Your Style, Not Someone Else’s — and do it all while keeping money in your pocket!”
How to Make Wedding Centerpieces in 5 Easy Steps
Many folks believe that unless you have some magical or mystical artistic talent, creating flowers for your wedding or special event is something beyond their abilities. That is simply not so. Just as you can learn to drive a car or speak a foreign language, flower arranging is a skill that can be easily learned. It does however, require a little instruction. If you have the desire and time management skills to juggle flowers plus the other demands for your very special day, do it yourself centerpieces for your party or event can be fun. It can save you a lot of money if you can do it yourself, and it can be emotionally quite fulfilling. There is a lot to be said for the bragging rights you earn when you can tell your family and friends that YOU made those designs!! In this brief article we are going to teach you how to make wedding centerpieces; well, one simple one anyway. I believe that you will really enjoy this brief mini lesson in floral designing.
For Homemade Wedding Centerpieces, ideas from Rittner School can help you create beautiful do it yourself centerpieces. Let’s get to it. How to Make Wedding Centerpieces in 5 Easy Steps:
Step #1 – You will need:
- Container-Glass Cube (approximately 4″)
- Foam
- Ti Leaves or Aspidistra Leaves
- Baker Fern (3-4 stems)
- Roses (9-10)
- Mini Sunflowers (6)
- Carnations (4-5)
- Alstroemeria (6)
- Daisy poms (two or three stems)
- Miniature carnations (two or three stems)
Step #2 – Choose your container
Every vase arrangement starts with a container. The choice of the container is very important for it sets the entire mood of the design. Will the arrangement feel contemporary? Classical? What colors will be incorporated into the container? This becomes especially important when planning flowers for wedding reception centerpieces. Your container could be the same color as the linen or a contrasting color. It could be part of a color harmony that you are trying to achieve. It could incorporate some of the colors of the flowers, or it could simply be achromatic or neutral. For these do it yourself centerpieces, we are going to use clear glassware. The use of a clear cube gives the clean linear look of today! Although we are using glass here, we could have just as easily created this design in a silver revere bowl or other opaque kind of container. The flower part would remain the same. The visual effect of the completed design would vary depending upon the base.
Step #3 – Put the foam in the container
For homemade wedding centerpieces, ideas are flowing in this design where we are going to play with a neat illusion. We have taken some foam, in this case a third of a block for our 4″ cube, and wrapped it with some foliage.
Step #4 – Add foliage
The foliage used here could be Ti leaf, or alternatively aspidistra. On the other hand other kinds of foliage (eg. croton) would give other really neat looks to your design. Sometimes the container will hold the foliage in place. If the foliage does not easily stay for you, you may take florist wire in a #20 gauge, and make little upside down U shapes. We call these hairpins. A couple of hairpins through the foliage into the foam will easily hold the leaves as desired. Pouring water around the foliage/foam provides a magnifying glass effect to the base! Play with this effect. It is fun to experiment with different shapes and sizes of glassware, and with different foliages. The overall shape of this arrangement will be a roundy, moundy, hemispherical shape, so popular in both arrangements and bridal bouquets. One quick and easy way to achieve that shape is to first create it with foliage and then fill in with flowers. The foliage that we are using here is baker fern or leather leaf. It is a very popular foliage and quite easy to use to cover a lot of space quickly. Start by placing smaller pieces in a circle around the top of the container. The stems of the baker fern may be inserted into the foam above the large decorative leaves, or right through them. Then place more pieces of fern on the top of the foam to create that gentle moundy shape. Don’t fuss about covering every single inch of foam. Plenty of flowers will be used to fill in should there be any small areas of foam showing.
Step #5 – Add your flowers of choice
You never can go wrong with roses. They are one of the most popular flowers and are available in so many varieties and colors. Take five of them and make a diagonal line from one side of the top of the arrangement to the other as shown in the photograph.
The next step for how to make wedding centerpieces is to place two more roses in front of the first five as shown in this photograph. Place two or three more roses on the side of the arrangement facing away from the camera in a similar configuration. This gives us a “backbone” to the design. All other flowers will go around this center core.
Three mini sunflowers, bright and cheerful, add contrast as they fill in the bottom section of the arrangement. Add three more to the side of the arrangement facing away from the photograph.
Carnations are enjoying renewed popularity and a great choice for do it yourself centerpieces. They are now available in a rainbow of colors. They fill space quickly and easily and are reasonably priced. It is a great flower to mix in with more costly materials to present an expensive look yet control costs. Four or five carnations are placed in close, one facing towards the camera, several upwards, and several over towards the other side of the design.
Alstroemeria are one of my favorite flowers. Like carnations, they are also available in a wide variety of colors. There are usually a number of florets on a stem, meaning that one stem cut short can fill in a design like this very quickly and efficiently. Distribute two or three alstroemeria on both sides of the arrangement you see here, and on the opposite side of the design.The roses looked dominant in the beginning, didn’t they? Notice as we fill in with all of the other various flowers, that everything blends well together like pieces of a puzzle. When it comes to figuring out how to make wedding centerpieces, you really can’t go wrong with these kinds of designs.
Daisy poms have multiple flowers on each stem. This means that you can get great value from this flower as you prune the individual stems and distribute some of the flowers through the top and sides. It really does give a rich effect, and the cost is minimal!
The overall look that we are seeking here is that of opulence and abundance. Miniature carnations, like the daisy poms feature a number of flowers on one stem. This means that you can get great coverage from only a few stems of flowers. Randomly place a few miniature carnations as shown, on both sides of the arrangement.
A final thought about content, as you begin creating your homemade wedding centerpieces, ideas will flourish! Remember, you may use a wide range of flowers in this kind of design. Using carnations, poms and miniature carnations can save you a lot of money. However, this design can be made much more elaborate and more expensive depending upon your budget. Substituting hydrangea or lilies can make this kind of design far more upscale, but will add to your total cost. If you’re looking for more information on how to make wedding centerpieces, please visit our school. You might even find a career in there somewhere, but that’s another story.
Dr. Stephen Rittner is director of The Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston. Rittners School of Floral Design attracts students from all over the world with a wide variety of courses in Floral Art. If you want to learn floral skills, or if you want some well deserved fun and reduce stress, consider taking a course at Rittners. Rittners Floral School also has a number of inexpensive Distance Education Lessons available for purchase online. See www.floralschool.com
Getting the Best Value for Your Wedding Photography Dollars
We all know that the cheapest product is usually not the best, but when we find a good product that is under market value we have hit the jackpot. For your wedding budget it is your challenge to get the best possible photographer for a price you can afford. Wedding Photography prices range greatly, depending on your photographer and after wedding products (goodies).
The following are a few thoughts / questions to consider when looking for the best value in a wedding photographer.
Make sure you are Comparing Apples to Apples
When you are making a choice between wedding photographers, first you want to look through lots of local photographer’s websites. View many websites and when you have the “AHH . . . that’s what I want my wedding to be photographed like” response, email the photographer with questions and see how they respond.
Check out all of the pictures on the site, wedding and otherwise to get a good idea for how the photographer sees life. If the photographer is relating well with their client, then the photograph will show comfortable natural expressions. Don’t let the location deceive you; look at the people, not the location. You are looking for how “YOU” will look in your location, not on a distant romantic shore somewhere with awesome secluded beach with wind blowing hair in the brides face. Everyone can get that shot. Do see if the bride and groom both look happy and relaxed. Does the bride look particularly pretty, happy? You want to like their image style, color, what feelings they evoke: sense of fun, joy, beauty and the story.
Then take a look at their package pricing to see if they are in what your ballpark budget is.
Your “relationship” with your photographer is important! How do you “feel” about one photographer from another? You will want to be able to be yourself and smile truly and have a comfort level with this person that you are trusting to capture you at your best and most beautiful.
Tell the photographer about your wedding and ask for ideas. Find out how they organize their day in shooting. Notice if you can ask questions easily so that when it is your wedding day you can ask anything (reasonable) and be assured that the answer will be an easy “yes, we can do that”. Make sure the package you are interested in is clear with its contents, and you might ask specifically what products you will receive and touch them for quality feel.
Now, here is where the apples to apples comes in . . .
When you visit a second photographer, make sure and ask the same questions and think about the feelings each are evoking upon you. If you do this for each photographer you will have a clear idea of the similarities and differences between their products.
Do you want A la Carte or Inclusive Wedding Packages?
A la Carte sounds great doesn’t it, you can pay less now for your wedding photography because you can choose what you want to purchase later!! So you may be very excited to see a price tag for your wedding photography of $1500 and jump to say, yea, this is in my budget, let’s go for it. But you need to think of the other half of your costs that you will be spending on your pictures later. If you are paying for the photographer to shoot your wedding ONLY, they now hold all your wedding pictures and later, when the final pictures weren’t included in a package price, you could be looking at quite a bit more money.
So get yourself a price list for prints, enlargements, albums and whatever other products you think you might want later on if you’re deciding to go the A la Carte route.
Now, let’s discuss your other option of “Inclusive Wedding Packages”. There are a variety of combinations available. The variations will be in the number of hours a photographer shoots your wedding and the professional products that come with it (actual prints, albums, CDs, etc.). Package prices will also vary due to factors such as the style of album chosen or the attention given to the printing process and paper types.
Most Wedding Photography Packages include an assistant that is a second shooter covering shots from the side or a different vantage point, or other happenings when the main photographer is with the couple. Choosing a package that gives you what you would like to have will determine what your cost will be. If you are having a small wedding you could ask the photographer what the savings would be if there were no assistant and get some input there.
Packages are a place where you can “Save Some Wedding Dollars” in a couple of areas. If you love the photographer’s style and they know that, and your personalities click, this can be where you could ask for substitutions or eliminations in their packages to get closer to your budget.
Do you want a wedding album? Most likely the answer to that is yes, so you need to decide what kind? There’s the Traditional Matted Album, Flush Mount style, or a Coffee Table Press Printed Original Book.
A Traditional Matted Album can be bonded leather, cowhide or leatherette. Other options such as metal and wood covers are also vogue. Leather needs some upkeep and sometimes does not feel as good as quality imitation leather that will require no upkeep, and can look just as good. If this is a “dollars” upgrade question I would opt for leatherette, as most people would never know a good quality album. Traditional Matted Album means each page holds an individually printed picture, or two, or four. Each page has a mat that puts each picture in a frame of black, ivory or brown. It is a stylish and beautiful collection of your selected images.
A Flush Mount Album is one in which some more up to date design style can be added — like a magazine layout where one picture can be overlaid on another. Each page can be a montage of many pictures or just one panorama stretching across a small gutter. These can be quite stunning if designed by a talented designer. When deciding what you want, look at your photographer’s samples and ask if your album would be done by the same artist/or lab – this can be very important to make sure you get the same look as the sample you are looking at as the “artists” and labs that put these together can make a big difference.
Press Printed Coffee Table Books are among the most expensive books as each one is a custom designed, printed and bound book. Acrylic or metallic covers are the hot ticket, and quite stunning. Also leather and silks are available. Pages are thicker than a regular book and can have metallic, photographic paper, or a linen textured finish. Family copy books are rather reasonable as the expense is in the original design and print and cover. You can also get small versions as gifts for the wedding party and other special people.
Do you want a CD of the whole wedding? If so, will the images only be viewable or printable as well?
If it is included, you have a bargain and have made a good choice for your wedding dollars spent. If not, then you may want find out how much it costs. Since you can only choose so many pictures for your album, it is nice to have a story of your whole wedding with all of those picture sequences of people having fun. So if your photographer includes a CD for viewing of your wedding, you will probably be happy. If you think about giving photos of you or your family and friends as thank you gifts, then you will want a printable version, will probably cost extra as it is an extra value.
Should You have a contract — A Price List?
Always! Make sure your contract spells out how long the photographer will be shooting for you, and if he comes late, what then, and if he gets ill, what then. Not only does this “cover” you, but the contract will spell things out so you know what you are paying for. Are you buying time and talent plus an album and five pictures, or what? Also, be sure and get a price list so you know exactly what extra products will cost.
So make yourself a list and start searching for best deal for your photography wedding dollars both in talent and products!
Nanci Kerby loves her weddings. She is easy to communicate with and has a calming essence that is very helpful on the busy wedding day. Nanci’s years of photography, professional modeling, television shows and film give her a unique approach to her wedding couples’ posing since she has been on both sides of the camera.The seamless attention to detail while comfortably posing her bridal parties so that everyone looks great is just one of the compliments she receives from her brides. They also love that she makes them look like they belong on a magazine cover and feel like it as well. Find out more about Nanci and her work at www.nancikerby.com.
Punk Goth Wedding Dresses – Who Said Dresses Had to Be Traditional?
Fashion and style, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. A wedding is no reason to turn ones back upon her entire style philosophy. A wedding that fits your taste is all that is required. So if you are one of those couples that want their wedding to be a reflection of their individual style and beliefs – not what everyone else thinks their wedding should look like – then, go for it! Of course, you already knew to do that.
One form of individuality is the Punk and Goth styles and Punk Goth Wedding Dresses are becoming increasingly popular as weddings are made more individualistic. Although punk and Goth fashion styles may differ, they have several unifying elements, one main one being the color “black.” Beginning the hunt for a Punk Goth Wedding Dress will not only be extremely fun, but can start opening the door for making your day as memorable to your guests as it will be for you.
Many people hold their own definitions as to what both “punk” and “Goth” are. From the fashion side of things, the punk look is somewhat unkempt, especially in contrast with the often elaborate styling found in Gothic clothing. Though the punk culture has numerous subdivisions, common elements of punk fashion include: ripped, tattered, torn or shredded materials, blazers or jackets, often 1970s or 1980s styles; studs and safety pins; chains and plaids.
On the other hand, Gothic fashion is usually divided into two main groups. The first group leans towards Victorian-era fashion trends, with romantic lace and velvet. The second group features a harder look, often incorporation leather into the clothing. Obviously there is quite a contrast between these, so your choice for incorporating “Goth” into your wedding fashion will be all about a personal one. The main thing in common is that both groups tend to emphasize the body through tight and/or revealing clothing.
If you are in the market for Punk Goth Wedding Dresses, there are a few things you can do to help you decide on one that fits your individual taste and vision.
Design It Yourself
You can design one yourself and have a tailor create it for you. This way, you will have a dress that totally defines your uniqueness and fits you perfectly! If this is the avenue you wish to pursue, the reward can be absolutely great, and you should start by finding pictures of elements you want to incorporate and a designer you feel has the skill to bring your vision to life. If you are on a budget, this may not be the best solution since custom wedding dresses can often be more on the expensive side and definitely time consuming.
Alter an off-the-rack Wedding Dress
If having someone tailor a dress for you is not appealing, there are still plenty of solutions open to you. First, simply alter a regular wedding dress! You may even consider going on the hunt for one that’s vintage, from the punk era of the 70’s and 80’s to give you an even more unique starting point and then go to town altering it. Following are some “altering” ideas for Punk Goth Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses:
- Adding a tight black lace corset (or any dark color)
- Ripping the train off and using safety pins to reattach
- Shredding the hemline of a gown
- Cutting a deeper neckline
- Tearing into top layers of satin, leaving edges jagged
- Adding a plaid layer to a tiered skirt
- Taking out any crinoline
- Shortening the dress length to knee or above
- Adding black leather trim around the hem and neck
Buy or Rent One Ready to Go
Or, one other means is to simply just go on the hunt for Punk Goth Wedding Dresses that are already available. Google Punk Goth Wedding Dresses and you’re certain to find a variety of ideas and places to purchase from. Visit alternative clothing boutiques. An excellent cost-savings idea would be to rent a costume – it’s way possible to find exactly the right elements for the perfect Goth Punk Wedding Gown from a theatrical costume rental store.
In the end this day is all about your and your fiancé, not everyone else, so just have fun and use your imagination to incorporate the elements you feel are necessary for your Punk Goth Wedding!
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.