Tips On How To Budget For Your Wedding

Here are a few tips on how to budget for your wedding. If you have finally decided that you are going to take your year(s) of courtship to the next level, then congratulations, you’ve made the right decision. Now comes the hard part and that is the planning and cost of your wedding.

You deserve to have a wedding that will not only reflect your love but also one that will show appreciation to your friends and family for supporting you two. Unfortunately, the times that we are living in are financially hard and the reality of it all is might not have a choice but to budget for your wedding.

There was a time when the family of the couple would chip in and help with the finance of a wedding. This gesture is proving to be a thing of the past as more couples are finding themselves footing the bill. If you are one of those couples who are making your wedding happen with the savings you both have combined, it would be wise to keep within your budget and not be tempted to apply for a loan from a financial institution. The last thing you both need is to start your lives together with an outstanding debt. Make do with the money that you currently have and cut down in areas that are not necessary.

Wedding consultants will tell you that most couples refuse to compromise their guest list. If you want to keep the size of your guest list, then you can cut down on the cost for decorations, cost of venue etc. 

Here are other ways in which you can save money and keep within your budget:

1.    Plan your wedding way in advance so that you have enough time to shop around for great bargains on your wedding attire, party favors, etc. Having a huge window of time allows you to find bargains rather than taking/buying/using the first thing that comes along in desperation.

2.    The wedding reception area could be another huge wedding expense but it does not have to be. Think about places that you can either have your reception for free or for a low cost. The church in which you worship may have a reception area that you can use free or charge. Other money-saving reception locations include a social room at a hotel, a restaurant, or even at the home of a friend who has a large house.

3.    No one says that your wedding ring has to be a major expense. You can say “I love you” just as well with wedding bands. Have something special inscribed inside the bands. The diamonds can always come later, like on your first wedding anniversary as you celebrate your marriage and the fact that you didn’t go into debt when you had your wedding.

4.    Add your personal touch to some of the wedding necessities with do-it-yourself projects. If you can bake a cake, make decorations or have incredible graphic artist skills to make your invitations, by all means do that. Perhaps you have a skilled friend you could barter with. She bakes your wedding cake in exchange for you babysitting her kids while she and her husband get away for a weekend.

There are many ways to have a beautiful wedding on a budget. The trick is to get started early and be open to cost-conscious ideas.

Talk to your parents (mother preferably), friends, relations or even store personnel will have some tips on how to budget for your wedding. You are not alone in this, talk to your best friend (the groom) even he can have some ideas.

Enjoy the new More Wedding Info Blog article and check out another site for brides from Teri Champigny at Bridal Accessories Info

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Secrets For A Perfect Wedding Day

Your planning your wedding and you want the day to be perfect. After months of wedding plans the big day will be staring you right in the face and you could be a nervous wreck. It is normal for you to be worried that something could go wrong at the last minute with your reception or that you will not look perfect when you walk down the aisle. Here are a few tips for you.

Your reception fears are relatively easy to handle. While you might consider your reception to be an important part of your entire wedding, it is, in reality, a fancy party. What makes a party successful?

Plenty of food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the duration of your reception will sooth your anxiety some. People get testy and start leaving parties early if the food and drink are slow to arrive or not abundant.

If children are part of your guest list, make sure that you have a good assortment of finger foods and soft drinks. Ice cream in cups might be a good idea, too.

There will be times when your guests are just marking time, waiting for you and your new husband to finish with the wedding photo shoot after the ceremony and, perhaps, when you both are changing clothes before leaving for your honeymoon. You will need entertainment to keep them from being bored and getting restless. There’s several easy ways to do this.

Besides the band or disk jockey providing music, have members of your wedding party or families get the guests involved in quiet activities while they are snacking and waiting. Simple games are the best option. Have small tablets and pencils at each place setting and have your helper ask everyone to write down their favorite crazy thing either one of you did when you were kids. Go around the room and have each guest read what they wrote.

Another option is to ask them to write down all the details they know about each one of you, like where you met, when you first kissed, favorite music, sports, etc. As before, go around the room for a reading. If someone is video taping this, give it to the couple at the end of the reception.

There are a few simple remedies you can use if you get up on your wedding day and your eyes are sore, irritated or puffy. Irritated eyes can be relieved if you soak a cotton ball in cold milk and place it over your eyes for a few minutes. Wipe the milk off your eyes with a warm, wet cloth.

Another way if your eyes are puffy is to run cold water over a metal spoon until it is cold. Place the spoon on your puffy areas for a minute. If you don’t get relief, dip the spoon in ice water and do it again. Cold, wet teabags will also reduce the puffiness.

Make sure you use waterproof makeup on your wedding day. Tears of joy are very common and waterproof makeup, particularly mascara, will keep your face looking beautiful. If you should shed a few tears, don’t wipe your eyes, but dab them at the corners of your eyes with a tissue. Before you enter the chapel, tuck a tissue in your bouquet or inside your long sleeves so you have it handy when you need it.

Concealers will adequately cover up an unexpected pimple or blemish and do double duty with dark rings under your eyes. Consult a makeup artist for the best choices for shades. They might suggest using two concealers of complimentary shades to give your eyes the sparkle you want.

These are just a few tips for perfect wedding day. Your wedding should be as beautiful as you want it to be and with some advance planning for the unexpected you should be able to handle anything.

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How To Make Wedding Boutonnieres

Boutonnieres are just as important to a wedding as are the flowers for the bride and bridesmaids. How do you make wedding boutonnieres is for the persons who wants to add a personal touch for the bride-groom and his groomsmen.

Boutonnieres are always a great way to add elegance and class to any men’s formal coat or jacket. When considering a wedding, a boutonniere always makes the man’s outfit more graceful and elegant. What is so great and convenient about the boutonniere is that it is unbelievably easy to make; with simple materials and a few short minutes, you can be on your way to making your groom’s as well as the escorts’ outfits a touch classier. Here are a few steps to help you learn how to make the wedding boutonnieres.

The first step in making wedding boutonnieres is to determine the kind of flower you want to use. If you’re working with your florist on making several of these pieces, they’re sure to have a number of options to choose from. Remember to choose one that is small or medium sized – big enough and the right size to be worn pinned to the suit. Roses and carnations are the usual picks when it comes to making a boutonniere. If you’re aiming to match the boutonnieres to the dresses of the women on that day, ask the florist if they can dye the flowers. This is a service that is usually provided but you should inform your florist days in advance. Get some greenery and baby’s breath to go with your flowers as well.

The next second step in assembling boutonnieres is to cut the stem of the flower to approximately three inches. If you are using artificial flowers (which is also an option if fresh ones were not available due to short notice), use some wire cutters to trim the “stem” of the flower. Save the leaves you cut off for greenery.

The next thing to do is to create the “bed” that your flower will be lying against. Take some greenery and some baby’s breath and put them together. The baby’s breath should be between the greenery and the flower. Remember also that your bed should not extend beyond the tip of your flower. Once you’ve assembled these, bind all of the stems completely together with some green florist’s tape. Finally, tie a silk or satin bow around the stem of the boutonniere that goes with the dresses of the women on that occasion.

Learning how to make wedding boutonnieres is easy and it takes very little effort. You can do these yourself and design them according to your taste. Remember, though, to keep your boutonnieres moist and cool until you are ready to use them. Should you need some visual help, there are several excellent online videos that can walk you through this simple process.

Making your own wedding boutonnieres is wonderful for the do-it-yourselfer. Many couples are going for the simple wedding and making your own flower arrangements for both bride and groom and their entourages is a great way to start. Making your own wedding boutonnieres is a great way to have your creativity to shine through.

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Getting Along With Your Mother-In-Law

Getting along with your mother-in-law can be hard but in some very few cases bride and mother-in-law get along famously and even like each other. In most cases this doesn’t happen. But sometimes you are lucky. That being said it is after your wedding, reception and honeymoon, settling down and getting to know your in-laws, particularly your mother-in-law, can be a stressful affair that can put sharp edges on your married life that might be difficult to remove.

There’s a different dynamic that goes to work with both your mothers when you get married. Your mother was aware of the inevitability of you marrying and filling your life with your own family since the day of your birth. She did the same thing when she married your father.

Your husband’s mother, on the other hand, might not be so understanding when she has to hand her son over to the care of another woman, you. She’s spent several decades tending to her son’s needs and grew very used to being the one who guided him and provided what he needed. Now, you are the one he shares his life with and she is dealing with a raw sense of loss.

She might feel that she can give you helpful advice and guidance about taking care of her son. Her advice on what foods he likes or how he needs to rest after work and not be bothered with household details might seem like helpful advice to her. But, to you, it will feel like meddling and an attempt to control your married life and structure it like hers. This tug of war is a perfect breeding ground for domestic fireworks.

Another way for your mother-in-law to maintain a connection with her son, and establish some control, might be phone calls several times a day or every evening when you both are at home and enjoying being together. She might need his help doing something he used to do for her before he married you. She might need to “talk to him about something” three or four times a day. She might drop in without warning on weekends and interfere with your plans or knock on your door before you are out of bed.

While this nightmare might seem inevitable to you, a new bride, just putting up with this situation is not a productive solution. Neither is complaining to your new husband about his mother’s controlling activities. A better plan would be to quietly explain to your husband how his mother’s activities in your marriage are affecting you. Before you do that, it would be good idea to turn off your phone and lock your door.

Explain to him that you know his mother is missing him and trying to maintain the close connection they’ve always had. Do not accuse, badger him or say anything negative about his mother. Just enlist him in a solution that lets his mother relax and become a welcome guest in your home.

You can do a lot to change the intrusive dynamic running rampant all around your new marriage. There are several simple things you can do to calm the troubled waters and regain peace in your house.

Ask your mother-in-law for a copy of the recipes she always cooked for her son when he lived at home. Perhaps you could make a recipe book together and include some pictures of her with your husband. A picture of them making cookies together when he was young would be a goldmine of good will.

Pick one night a week and invite both sets of parents to a “family” dinner or Sunday brunch. Try an occasional weekend barbecue. Your parents might be missing you, too, and would welcome some together time with their daughter.

On your husband’s birthday or to celebrate special days, like a promotion or another success, ask your mother-in-law to help you plan a surprise celebration. Take some of her advice, making sure that she feels like a major part of the planning.

Mother-in-law stories have been made into movies and can be found all over the television sitcoms. A little compassion and good sense can make your mother-in-law sitcom fade into the past.

Getting along with your mother-in-law doesn’t have to be a chore. Someday you just might be in her shoes so try to think of what you would do if you were giving up your son to someone else. Think of how you would react to giving up your baby.

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It’s His Wedding Too!

It’s his wedding too! Sometimes an entire year goes by while the bride and her family are busy planning every detail of the wedding. Those details include:

> Finding the perfect dress and getting it fitted
> Picking the bridesmaid’s dresses and getting them fitted
> Booking the church and the reception hall, minister and musicians
> Contacting vendors for food, flowers, the cake, liquor, catering
> Lodging for out-of-town guests and transportation to the festivities
> Invitations, programs, favors, gifts
> Booking the music for the reception

And that’s just the short list and doesn’t include anything specific for the groom. With the intensity and stress getting stronger and more distracting as the bride’s planning goes along, it would be easy for the groom to feel left out of the planning.

Granted, some men don’t have a clue about wedding planning and believe that all they have to do is show up sober in a tux with the ring and the best man.

Commonly, newly engaged brides-to-be spend hours with bridal magazines, on any or all of the multitude of wedding/bride websites and blogs and planning with their girlfriends and co-workers. Weekends can easily be taken up shopping with the girlfriends or her mother. Every detail will be agonized over every day.

What is the groom’s part in this wedding planning marathon? Most of his friends might not be married and those who are married probably were in the same position you are in now. Not much help there.

Read on for some suggestions and insights into what is happening to the woman you love that, all-of-a-sudden, has become Bridezilla. You both will survive.

What’s Happening To The Woman You Love

You’ve fallen in love and popped the question. Now your fiance seems to be a person you’ve never met before and there’s little time in her schedule to spend quality time together. You might be thinking that you proposed to the wrong woman.

Your fiance might be smiling one minute and crying the next. The first thing you have to keep in mind is that she is under tremendous stress and it is not likely to lift until after the reception. Those surprising personality changes are temporary and very common with new brides-to-be.

Besides an endless list of things that need to be scheduled and completed constantly, your fiancé is learning new processes and techniques that might have baffled her before you proposed, like budgeting and scheduling. She is also worrying about how she will look at the ceremony. There isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t worry about her weight, hairdo and makeup beyond all male comprehension. Pending weddings blow that concern up to cataclysmic proportions.

While you might rent a tuxedo that fits, get a new pair of shoes and a good haircut, she intends on looking like an angel when she walks down the aisle.
She will worry about every bite she puts in her mouth and every pore on her face. There’s not much you can do about it. Stay out of her way on this subject.

What you can do, however, is be caring and supporting. Listen to her endless updates on the wedding plans and offer your help when you think you can take some weight off her shoulders. Remind her of your strengths, but don’t push it.

It might seem that the entire wedding is all wrapped up with your bride-to-be. Even the normal events are “bridal” in nature, like “bridal shower” and “bridal party.” You might be feeling left out of the planning and not part of the wedding at all.

There are several things you can do to become a real part of the long process involved in planning your wedding. Yes, it is your wedding, too!

Take An Active Role In Your Wedding

Believe it or not, many grooms are taking on some of the wedding planning and making their fiancé’s life easier. When you first start planning the wedding together, settle on the date and then talk about creating a plan of action that both of you can share. Take responsibility for the details you can shoulder and keep her updated on your progress and stay current with hers.

You might want to consider asking both of the fathers for advice or simple suggestions, like for possible honeymoon destinations. They often feel left out of the wedding while their wives and your intended spend hours on the phone, planning and shopping. Asking them for stories about their own honeymoons and how to avoid any travel problems they had, would bring them into the planning and do a lot to blend the two families.

It’s never too early to start the bonding process with both fathers and you are the common denominator.

In order to become a useful partner in your own wedding, take some of the tasks off your fiancé’s “To Do” list. It would be a good idea to start that when the two of you are doing the initial planning of your wedding. This would be a good time to talk about sharing the wedding expenses, if that is what you both want to do.

There are, however, several “man tasks” that you can take care of.

For one thing, you can take care of the paperwork required for marriages. Depending on your location, those legal details might include blood tests that need to be scheduled with your family doctor. You can apply for the wedding license.

It wouldn’t hurt to change your personal details, like medical insurance policies, auto insurance, property deeds, bank accounts, credit cards and wills. Take your bride-to-be out to dinner and discuss these personal details and decide together what to do. She will probably have some of her own, like a bank account, credit cards or property, etc. Make sure each of you knows about any debts that need to be paid off during your marriage. Don’t let private debts be a surprise.

If your honeymoon is planned for an international destination, make sure both passports are up to date. Get the applications filled out and sent off with the fees, if you need new ones. Arrange time for the necessary photos.

When both of you select your honeymoon destination, be responsible for all the details:

> Booking the resort or hotel as early as possible, before you get too involved with the rest of the wedding details. Weddings are happening all over the world every day of the week. Exotic locales and popular destinations will often be booked a year ahead. Once booked, check the surroundings for activities you might want to join, like deep sea fishing or golfing at the local course. Some resorts have special tours to local sights or festivals. Check for discounts because you are a guest at the hotel. Book them ahead, if possible.

> If you need to travel by air to your honeymoon destination, make the reservation as early as you can. Check those online reservation sites, like Expedia, Orbits, Travelocity, etc, for discounts. Even if you book early, some of them will send you an email notice with a lower price when the airlines drop the price in effect when you booked. You will get a refund if the price drops before you leave.

> Don’t forget your transportation to and from the airport on both ends of your honeymoon. The trip to the airport after the reception is usually provided by the best man, but make sure he can do it before assuming anything.

> Make sure one or both of you have a good digital camera and several charged batteries or a battery charger, if needed. International destinations will probably need a specific charger for converting their electricity to match your electronics. Your honeymoon is a once in a lifetime trip and your photos will be something you both will enjoy often. It only takes a few minutes to make a photo record of your honeymoon.

When your fiancé is sending invitations to the wedding and the reception, she will know how many of the guests might be in other states or far enough away from the wedding city that lodging and transportation might need to be scheduled.

Get a list from her as soon as she gets the acceptance notices and start checking out local hotels and motels. Tour them before booking and make sure you see a room before making reservations. Many hotels and motels will offer discount rates for wedding guests. Ask.

You might want to ensure that a good restaurant is nearby and make note of any activities the guests might want to visit, like a movie theater or some
activities for kids: arcades, miniature golf, for example.

A map of the simplest route from the hotel/motel to the wedding and then to the reception would be very handy for those who will drive to the festivities. For those who are flying in, or taking another form of public transportation to get to your town, arrange for transportation to their lodging. If necessary, provide phone numbers for local cab companies and bus schedules.

Be a good host and anticipate everything you can think of. Ask both parents for their experiences and take their advice. It will save you a lot of grief at the last minute.

Perhaps you could find a good band or disk jockey for the reception. Choose the music together with your fiancé.

Another important aspect is arranging transportation to carry your bride to the wedding and both of you to the reception. Most cities have several limousine companies, so interview each one to get the best price and service. The one you select will need accurate directions to and from both the ceremony and the reception. Set reasonable schedules and give the limousine company a copy so they will be on time. Do not forget to allow time for the official photos at the church.

A couple of weeks before your wedding, select appropriate gifts for your groomsmen, ushers and your best man. Let your budget and knowledge of each one’s interests guide you.

You also need a special wedding gift for your fiancé. Make it very romantic so she will know how much you love her and are anticipating your marriage. You might consider how much pressure she is under for maybe as long as a year. Occasional sweet gifts would show her how much you appreciate her planning and hard work for your big event. When your bride-to-be is tense and stressed for months, a little “sugar” would go a long way to relax her.

There are two personal wedding details that are your responsibility:

> You have to set up fittings for your tuxedo rental or purchase. You are also responsible for getting your groomsmen fitted, too. When selecting tuxedos, it is important to check with your fiancé to determine her wedding colors. Consider black tuxedos or a colored variation to match the bride and bridesmaids. Do not forget to coordinate ties, vests, cummerbunds and shoes.
Make arrangements with one of your groomsmen to have the tuxedos returned to the rental shop after the wedding.

> Both of you select your wedding rings together and determine your sizes at the jewelers. If you want special engraving, tell the jeweler at that time. When they are ready, pick them up and make sure the best man keeps them secure until the wedding.

One of your traditional wedding responsibilities is ordering and paying for the corsages for the mothers, grandmothers, aunts and, in some families, close friends. You are responsible for the bride’s flowers and the corsage she will wear after you two change clothes and leave on your honeymoon.

Work together with your fiancé and both sets of parents on the rehearsal dinner. Make sure you have the marriage license with you. Give it to the minister, or whoever is marrying you, so you can be sure it is filled out correctly. It will be signed and returned to you after the ceremony.

Go over the procedures and wedding day duties with your attendants during the rehearsal, including clearing special seating arrangements with your ushers. You will be responsible for paying the minister.

After the wedding, you have a couple of responsibilities during the reception.
If the bride has planned a receiving line, you will stand with her and introduce your family’s guests to her and her parents.

Later, you will dance the first dance with your new bride. If you can’t dance, take a few lessons before the wedding and find some time to practice with your fiancé. Later, you will be expected to dance with your mother and, most likely, her mother.

During the reception, spend time with both sets of parents. Remember that both you and your fiancé are leaving their homes and starting a life together. They will be happy for your joy and a little sad for their immediate loss of their old relationship with their son or daughter.

Traditionally, the best man makes a toast to you both and, at times other members of the wedding party might make one, too. Respond to each one.

Taking responsibility for all these details will give your fiancé a needed helping hand and put you back in your own wedding ceremony.

After The Honeymoon

When you and your bride return from the honeymoon, another aspect of your life together is just starting. To start with, the two of you will no longer be the center of attention like you were before the wedding. The mechanics of building a home and a family together will be entirely different from the rollercoaster ride you’ve been on for many months.

Now that your concerns are jobs, household responsibilities, broken appliances and bugs in your lawn, the honeymoon stage can be over in a heartbeat. Normally, this stage of your relationship could last 6 months.

But, when it inevitably ends, you will be experiencing real changes as a couple. Common ones could be pressure from your own families to spend weekends and holidays with them, disregarding your own needs to spend quality time with each other. Your friends might think each one of you will be available for the activities and social times you spent with them before you got married.

If you commonly spent every Saturday and Sunday on the golf course with your buddies, expect domestic fireworks if you believe you can continue that practice. Your bride might have her friends calling and expecting her to continue their weekend practice of shopping, visiting garage sales and having lunch. While there’s nothing wrong with keeping separate friendships, they have to accommodate your new life and not the other way around.

Childbirth will change everything in your life. You will have a job during the day and another one with your baby during the night and on weekends. Your wife will be making severe changes in her life, including the hormonal changes from carrying the baby for nine months. You will be expected to take on some of the baby’s needs when you are home. Your wife will need a good night’s sleep pretty regularly. Her household chores and taking care of the baby’s needs will be constant and extremely tiring.

Learn how to take care of your child and give your wife an occasional day off out of the house. Remember that you are at work and away from dirty diapers and newborn earaches every working day. An occasional small present or surprise treat for no reason at all will soothe tempers and bring you closer together.

Most couples come into a marriage with unspoken expectations formed by their family experiences that they’ve observed or participated in their entire life. They have both conscious and unconscious expectations that are a mix
of what they expect from each other and themselves. It is common for both people to have mental pictures of what the other member of the marriage should be. The terms “husband” and “wife” are powerful emotional images that can color the way each one of you interact with each other when those stresses and disagreements inevitably pop up.

Whatever the problem or disagreement, do not make it worse by not listening or being willing to calmly discuss the problem and possible solutions. Do not set your mind on winning every argument. You are not in competition with your spouse and there’s better ways of settling spats without full-scare warfare. Sometimes you will have to just agree to disagree and get on with your wedded life.

If you haven’t lived together before your wedding, your transition will be more intense. Good advice is to compromise and express love to each other at all times. If both of you focus on the positive aspects of living together and show respect for each other, you can build a happy wedded life.

A common argument after the honeymoon is about money. Decide before you get married about whether or not you will combine your bank accounts into one and what you will do with your separate checks if both of you have jobs. Small things like who buys and pays for the groceries, or who pays the utilities can become big problems if you both have not settled on a sound financial plan of action before you get married.

If one of you is the one who normally stops at the grocery on the way home from work and buys the groceries from a personal and separate account, you need a better plan. Many decide on one account with blended incomes and all the expenses come out of the one account. It avoids feelings of being taken advantage of and arguments over money, which is one of the major causes of divorce.

When you return from your honeymoon and blend your formerly separate lives into one, common sense and a willingness to openly discuss any problems without anger will dissolve quiet hurts and bring both of you to new understandings and much closer together.

Remember ladies, it’s his wedding too. Let him help. Give him something to do.

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US Virgin Islands Destination Wedding

A US Virgin Island destination wedding is a great idea if you want to have your wedding in the islands. If you are looking to escape a winter wedding but you want the sun and sand then a simple romantic adventurous wedding getaway in the Virgin Islands will capture your heart! With the ocean breezes, radiating sunsets, delicate waves, sun-warmed sand and you, standing beside the man you want to build a life with. Ahhh paradise!

Getting married is another phase of every man and woman’s lives. Every tiny detail must be carefully planned out. With the help of a wedding planner, you will be spared from the tedious planning; they will certainly take care of all the arrangements of your wedding. Not to mention that they can make your wedding day perfect. All you have to do is coordinate with the wedding planners on the details of your dream wedding. There are plenty of wedding packages in the hotels of the US Virgin Islands that cater to your wedding needs.

A Virgin Islands destination wedding and honeymoon would be a perfect choice for a bride and groom who want to make their big day a memorable experience. The US Virgin Islands, with St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas all provide wedding services, from wedding planners to the wedding reception. If you want a ceremony at sunset on the beach, or in an outdoor gazebo, or in a lovely chapel, or right at the Territorial Court, simple or luxurious, the choice is yours to make.

It is best to start planning your wedding at least two months ahead of time and even longer if you plan to have plenty of guests. To have a US Virgin Islands destination wedding, you have to request an application for marriage license from the Territorial Court of the US Virgin Islands. If the completed and notarized application is received through mail by the island courts, you will then be given an eight- day awaiting period. No blood test is required if you want to get married in the US Virgin Islands. If either party is divorced, a certified true copy of the divorce decree stamped with a seal to be filed along with the application for the examination by the court prior to issuance of the license. It is also required to have a certified documents proving widowed status if you are a widower. For couples below 18 years old, an affidavit with both parents’ signatures is required. If you are not a US citizen a passport or VISA is needed.

In the US Virgin Islands destination wedding, it is important to indicate whether your marriage will be performed by a Judge in the Court or by a clergy member. For weddings performed by the Court, an appointment must be arranged.

It’s not very hard to have a US Virgin Islands destination wedding, is it? Just imagine you and your better half-to-be getting married in a place where beauty is all you can see.

Like many places in the Caribbean the Virgin Islands has long been a wedding destination location for good reasons. The first is because there are few beaches in the world which rival that of those found here.

The beaches in the US Virgin Islands offer the best in romantic settings for those wanting to get married here. There is nothing which can compare to the saying you vows with the sounds of the ocean waves lapping in the background, the sweet oceans breezes that will flow by you and the man you love. This is one of the most perfect ways for any couple to say their ‘I Do’ to each other and to begin their lives together as a couple.

Technorati Tags: US Virgin Island destination wedding, wedding, islands, winter wedding, sun and sand, romantic, wedding getaway, wedding plannner, US Virgin Isands, Caribbean, More Wedding Info Blog, Teri Champigny

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Weddings In Jamaica – The Legal Formalities

Thinking about holding your wedding in Jamaica? There are many reasons why getting married abroad is popular, and when it comes to getting married in Jamaica, one of the main reasons is the location! What could be more romantic than being married on a beautiful beach, or in an air conditional hotel reception room overlooking the ocean?

At one time this was no more than a fleeting dream many brides-to-be would have as they stressed their way through the seemingly endless decisions associated with a traditional wedding at home. These days, more and more couples are opting for a Jamaican wedding in paradise where the emphasis is on them and not the “details”. But how legal is it?

If your intention of going to Jamaica is to get married, then there are some things you need to make sure that you have in order beforehand.

First of all, you must be over the age of 18. If one or both of you are under 18 then written parental consent must be supplied for whoever is underage.

Both the bride and groom must also supply a birth certificate which shows their nationality, and father’s name.

If either the bride or the groom (or both) has been married before then additional paperwork that proves they are now free to remarry must be shown, such as a death certificate, or a certificate of divorce.

There are other restrictions as regards place, and time of marriages but the legal paperwork is pretty much straightforward. If you are staying at a hotel, it would be advisable to put your arrangements in the hands of their wedding planner. They will ensure that all the formalities are completed, that you obtain your license on time, and can be married when you want. They can also advise on such things as venue, and if necessary even secure you the services of a photographer or someone to video the marriage.

As long as you comply with all the local necessities, and obtain your license, you can find yourself married in less than 48 hours! Remember, if you get married in Jamaica, you’re legally married! Any marriage which is valid and legal in the jurisdiction where the marriage was performed is legal and valid in other countries/jurisdictions. Also most countries consider bigamous/polygamous marriages and homosexual/same sex marriages as invalid, they are not recognized.

Remember to do your research and find out what you need in order to have your marriage outside the country you live in. Also remember to check, just in case, to see if you are still legally married in the country you live in. Laws do change so always check to make sure what your legal status is if you are planning a wedding in Jamaica.

Technorati Tags: wedding in Jamaica, weddings in Jamaica, Jamaican wedding, legal formalities, wedding, Jamaica, romantic, beach, legal paperwork, More Wedding Info Blog, Teri Champigny

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Bridesmaid Dresses Tips

If you’re planning a wedding, one thing you’ll need to factor in is what the bridesmaids are going to wear. We’ve all heard horror stories about brides who choose hideous gowns that just don’t suit the women wearing them. No one wants to be Bridezilla! Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to pick bridesmaid dresses that look great, don’t cost too much, and don’t compete with the bridal gown. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect dresses for your bridesmaids.

The number 1 rule is to control as little as you have to. Lots of brides get caught up in the idea that they have to be in control of everything. But the less you actually have to be in charge of, the lower your stress level will be. Ask your wedding party what their favorite styles are, whether they have any concerns about modesty, and what their measurements are. Then, think about what you want out of your wedding.

If you just want the bridal party to look similar, choose a color and a rough style (such as skirt length and shape) and let the bridesmaids pick their own gown. That way, they control fit, dress type, and cost, and can keep all of them within their personal preferences. If you don’t want certain elements in your wedding, be sure to specify. This type of bridesmaid gown selection process is the easiest on everyone. Of course, it won’t work for every wedding – truly formal weddings may require all bridesmaids to match. In this case, try to reach a compromise that will work well on all your bridesmaids, without making anyone feel like “the ugly one” or exceeding the amount they can pay.

Take into consideration the body shapes of your bridesmaids. If they all have similar figures, it’s much easier to find a style that flatters that figure. If you have an assortment of body shapes, which is probably likely, pick the style that looks the best on most of them while not looking a complete disaster on the others.

Remember that formal weddings call for longer gowns, and that you’ll want to stick to a relatively limited color palette. The bridesmaids should look good, but they should also blend in and not take attention away from you. After all, it’s your big day to shine. Get everyone fitted wearing the correct shoes and undergarments, and remind your bridesmaids not to lose a lot of weight right before the wedding. Otherwise, their dresses might not fit. At minimum, the bridesmaids shouldn’t make any major physical changes after the last fitting.

Shop around for the best prices on gowns for your bridesmaids, too. Whether they’re buying them for themselves, or you’re helping with the cost, no one wants to pay more than they have to. Discount shops and online retailers can often offer a good price. Just remember that a gown needs to be available in a wide range of sizes – the last one on the rack isn’t an option when you’re dressing several people. Take the time to think about what works best on your bridesmaids. Remember that you don’t have to be a micromanager, and you’ll have no problem getting a great looking wedding party without much stress.
 

Technorati Tags: bridesmaid dresses, tips, planning, wedding, bridesmaids, brides, bride, bridal gown, More Wedding Info Blog, Teri Champigny

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Active Wedding Reception Games

We’ve all been to receptions that are standard – we welcome and celebrate the new married couple, watch them dance, and enjoy cake with them. But creative couples often enjoy coming up with fun games that include the entire guest list.

Including the guests is an excellent way to get people out of their chairs, meeting people they might not otherwise know and feeling like they are truly a part of the celebration, not just observers.

One fun and active game that can be played by all your guests, including grandma as well as the young children, is “want it now”.

In this game, you designate a master of ceremonies (if you have a DJ for your wedding reception, this person can serve as the DJ). The MC will have a list of “wants” prepared before the reception. Everyone sits at their tables, and waits to hear the command. The MC says he wants a person with painted toenails. All the women with painted toenails run to the front of the room, toward the MC. Each time a table sends someone to the front first, they get a point.

Points should be tallied during the course of this game and prizes awarded at the end of the game. Be sure to have some obvious “wants”, as is the painted toenails, or a man with a mustache or a child with a pink dress. But also include some surprises, like “a man with a brown purse” which will require a man to find a woman at his table with the brown purse and run up to the front of the room with that.

Another fun wedding reception game that includes all your guests is musical chairs using men as the chairs. All the men line up and kneel on one knee. The women begin playing the game of musical chairs, but when the music stops, they must find a knee to sit on. No “chairs” are removed during the version of the game, but instead people are eliminated when either the man falls down when the woman finds his knee or when the woman falls down. Both are out either way, and if both fall down, they are also both out then (as well as perhaps a bit bruised). This is a fun game that often brings on gales of laughter and adds to a relaxed reception atmosphere.

If many guests are traveling a good distance to the wedding or don’t know many other guests, it’s always fun to include a game that will allow them to now only get to know each other but the bride and groom as well. For this game, you’ll need a MC again, which can be a very outgoing member of the wedding party or the DJ. The reception guests are broken into two groups, which can be as simple as having people count off “1, 2, 1, 2″ and so on until the entire guest list is either a “1″ or a “2″. Then the two groups band together for the duration of the game.

The DJ, or MC, offers a series of questions relating to the bride and groom. The teams should work together to answer the questions, then as quickly as possible provide the answer. The bride and groom will confirm if the answer is correct or not. This is an excellent way for otherwise “stranger” guests to get to know one another and have some fun in the process. It’s also an excellent way to get to know the bride and groom!

Organizing games at a wedding reception is a great way to get people involved and make them feel they are truly a part of the celebration. It’s also a way to fill time, if the wedding planners know this isn’t a “dancing” group or if you want to loosen people up for a long night of celebrating. Whether a small or large wedding, reception games work for just about any group.

In addition, don’t assume wedding reception guests will be offended or annoyed by these active games. Most people report to wedding planners they truly enjoy being more active and having fun games to play during a wedding reception.

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Black Wedding Dresses:
Gothic Shock Or The Ultimate In Sophistication?

Black wedding dresses can give a very formal look without being traditional. Most brides would not choose a black dress for a church wedding, for example. But they can look great in any gothic setting such as a castle or gothic wedding chapel. You can also decorate your wedding venue in gothic style to suit your dress.

While black may be the most prominent color, it does not have to be the only color of your dress. A combination of black and silver can look stunning. Red flounces under the skirt can give a hint of blood at a gothic themed wedding. Black with pink or rose can look extra sophisticated. Or you may just have a few features picked out in black on a mainly white dress, such as beads or embroidery.

Choosing a black dress for a wedding may give you more opportunities to wear the dress again. It is difficult to think of an occasion where you could where a huge white wedding dress except for at your own wedding, but black or almost any other color could be worn again. Many women love classic black evening dresses and to wear one to your wedding seems a natural choice.

It would not be correct to assume that a white wedding is traditional in all cultures. In fact, it is a relatively recent trend, started by Queen Victoria who married in a lacy white ballgown style dress in 1840. Before that, brides would wear any color of dress or costume.

In Spain many brides would traditionally be married in black wedding dresses. Choosing this color is said to mean that the bride will remain faithful to her husband all of her life.

Be aware that some people still find black wedding dresses shocking. You may meet with some resistance from older relatives or those who associate black and gothic themes with witchcraft and consider them anti Christian.

They might also quote you the saying, ‘Married in black, you will wish yourself back,’ implying that you will regret the marriage. You can tell them sure, you will wish yourself back to your wedding day because it will be such a great day and the start of your happy life together!

Some brides like to shock but for the sake of future relationships with your family and older friends you might want to give them a little warning. Explain what you are doing and that there is nothing evil in it. Point out that it will be a wedding to remember. This can go a long way to beating down any resistance in the family to black wedding dresses.

Technorati Tags: black wedding dresses, gothic, formal, traditional, wedding, church, black dress, gothic themed, marriage, Teri Champigny

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