Planning the Perfect Wedding: Wedding Party Do’s and Don’ts

If you are someone who wants to make sure that your wedding goes well and that everything runs smoothly, make sure you consider what your wedding party requires. A good wedding party will see you through the worst of the storm, but to help them work effectively, keep a few tips in mind.

DO clear up personality disputes

Before you ask anyone to be part of your wedding party, tell them about who else is going to be there. If they think they might have serious personality conflicts with the other people, they can simply go as a guest.

DON’T leave things undecided

It is a bad idea to think that things are going to get sorted out on their own. There are many people who find they need to do some delegation right out of the gate, but once you have gotten things decided like that, it will go a lot faster.

DO buy gifts

Gifts for the wedding party do not have to be elaborate, but they should represent your thanks. For the groomsmen, you could order custom ties, buy cufflink sets or choose a bottle of fine wine. For bridesmaids, think about jewelry, cute hats, or gift certificates. If your wedding party is full of free-spirits and quirky people, don’t hesitate to let your gifts be a little weird as well. For example, you can choose to get your wedding party the newest video games, swords, museum-quality skulls or even tattoos!

DON’T be fussy about the bridesmaids dresses

There is a common thread where brides dress their bridesmaids unattractively. The truth of the matter is that if you think about your bridesmaids as visual accessories, you should always choose for beauty! One great way to make sure everyone is happy is to pick a color and then have the bridesmaids choose their dress’s cut.

DO ask for help

A wedding is a big deal. There are many things to be aware of, and many things that need to be done. From flowers to catering to seating, as the day gets closer, you will need to learn more and more about what has to be taken care of. If you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure you go to your wedding party. Be clear about what you need, whether it is a sympathetic ear or a night of non-wedding related fun.

Your wedding can be wonderfully stress-free if you make the right choices with regards to your wedding party!

20 Jun 2013
Tags: wedding party, wedding party do's, wedding party dont's
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5 Reasons To Choose London For A Unique Honeymoon

Source: http://www.marrygoaround.com/

When we think of honeymoons we tend to think of tropical islands with white sandy beaches and clear blue sea. But what if a honeymoon to Mauritius isn’t your cup of tea? Some of us don’t like flying and the thought of a stressful long-haul flight can counteract the relaxation of your honeymoon. If you’ve got a shoestring budget or just simply want to stay a little closer to home then our historic capital city is the perfect place for a unique honeymoon. Here are my top 5 reasons to choose London for your first holiday as a married couple:

Accommodation

London has something to suit every budget. However, it’s worth spending a little more on luxury 4 or 5 star accommodation for your honeymoon; and make sure to let the hotel know that it’s a festive occasion as they’ll often help to make it more magical for you. The Grosvenor House Hotel or Claridge’s Hotel, both in Mayfair, are 5 star hotels famed for their fantastic service and classic romantic decor. It’s worth doing some research and checking plenty of review sites out before you book anywhere; the last thing you want on your honeymoon is unsatisfactory accommodation ruining the romantic mood!

Getting around

London is, of course, famed for its underground train network and its iconic red buses; and no trip to London would be complete without a ride on the Tube or an open-top London bus. However, if you’re honeymooning in London, you’ll want to add a little bit of luxury to your travel arrangements. Why not travel to dinner or the theatre in style and inject a touch of glamour and class into your stay in London with Chauffeur Driven Car Hire? You’ll feel like a VIP stepping out of a sleek black Audi and asking your driver to wait whilst you dine at the posh London brasserie!

West End theater

No trip to London would be complete without a trip to a West End show or two. Going to the theatre is the perfect excuse to get dressed up to the nines and enjoy an evening of romance, art and culture in one of the most iconic theatre districts in the world. There’s always a wide variety of shows on offer across the many theatres that make up the West End; from musicals such as Les Miserables and West Side Story to classic plays like Othello and To Kill A Mockingbird, and many modern productions, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.

Attractions

There is a wide variety of art galleries and museums across London to help you wile away the hours in the daytime. Many of them are free to enter so if your honeymoon activity budget is more shoestring than luxury these free entry attractions are perfect for you. Even if your budget is generous then places such as the Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum should certainly be on your list of places to visit. London is just full of culture which is waiting for you to soak it up! The London Eye is also absolutely worth a visit, it’s not free, but it’s one of the best ways to see London from above. The pods are generally shared with other people, but you could always inquire about the cost of a private pod and share a bottle of Champagne above the city with your new spouse.

Open spaces

Although London is a busy, bustling city there are plenty of green open spaces to escape to. If you’re blessed with sunny weather on your honeymoon why not pack a picnic hamper full of yummy food and flavorful wine and head for Hyde Park, Regents Park, Richmond Park or one of the many other fantastic parks in London. Settle down on your picnic blanket and simply watch the world go by whilst you enjoy one another’s company, perfect!

19 Jun 2013
Tags: honeymoon in london, london honeymoon, wedding honeymoon
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The Top 5 Men’s Engagement Rings

The custom of wearing an engagement ring to signify commitment to a particular relationship dates as far back as the height of Ancient Egypt. The tradition continued in both Ancient Greece and Rome, and later spread throughout Europe and America. In the mid-1800s, when African diamond mines began producing those precious gems on a regular basis, diamond engagement rings became a popular choice for those fortunate few who could afford them. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that diamond engagement rings for women became common in the U.S.

For many years, engagement rings remained a tradition reserved almost exclusively for women, but that has changed over the past few years. In this day and age, many men and women feel that it’s just as appropriate and desirable for men to wear a symbol of commitment as it is for the bride-to-be. For that reason, men’s engagement rings have become increasingly popular.

Out of the large variety available, there are 5 styles that stand out as particular favorites across the globe:

Gold rings

Elegant, classic and timeless, it’s no wonder that this precious metal has remained a favorite for men’s engagement rings and wedding bands. Although yellow gold may come immediately to mind when one envisions a gold band, white gold is also a common choice. Rings made from this beautiful precious metal are actually most commonly an alloy of gold and other material. Although a gold engagement ring would certainly be covered by any soon-to-be groom, you should keep in mind that gold scratches relatively easily and may not be the best choice for men who work frequently with their hands.

Platinum rings

The rarest of all precious metals, platinum was once referred to as “the only metal fit for a king” by King Louis XV. While men’s engagement rings made of platinum are often significantly more expensive than bands made from other materials, this precious metal has definite advantages. For starters, it’s exceptionally strong. Any man with a platinum ring can feel confident that this is one piece of jewelry that will truly last a lifetime. In fact, it’s not uncommon for platinum jewelry to be handed down from generation to generation. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, which is an vital consideration for anyone with skin allergies.

Tungsten rings

Due in large part to their strength and affordability, newer contemporary metals have become more commonly used in jewelry for both men and women over the past several years. One of the most popular contemporary metals used for men’s engagement rings, tungsten is virtually scratch-resistant due to being one of the hardest manufactured materials in existence today. Although tungsten’s natural color is gunmetal grey, you’ll also find tungsten men’s engagement rings in black, gold tone and silvery white tones. One drawback of tungsten rings is that they are so hard that they cannot be resized. Fortunately, tungsten is so inexpensive that you should be able to easily replace an existing ring with a new one if your size changes.

Two-toned rings

Some of the most popular men’s engagement rings are two-toned rings, which also tend to be remarkably versatile. If your budget allows, silver and gold rings are a more traditional choice. However, you’ll also find two-toned rings made of more affordable, contemporary materials, such as tungsten or titanium, in black and silver or black and gold color combinations.

Black rings

Undeniably sleek and modern in their appearance, black engagement rings are becoming a popular choice amongst men from all walks of life. These stylish bands are available in a variety of different contemporary materials, including stainless steel, tungsten, titanium and ceramic. Black rings are not only masculine looking, but quite sophisticated as well.

Given the long history of women’s engagement rings, it should be no surprise that men’s engagement rings are starting to match them in popularity. Many of today’s modern couples want to symbolize their commitment to each other and their future together, and there’s no more fitting way to do just that than with exquisite engagement rings for both the bride and groom.

Cindy White writes about men’s engagement rings and wedding bands for Mens-Wedding-Rings.com.

18 Jun 2013
Tags: Men’s Wedding Ring
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Wedding Gown of the Week – 129

17 Jun 2013
Tags: wedding dress of the week, wedding gown of the week
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Wedding Gifts – With a Difference

Find out why thinking outside the box might just help make your wedding present the best the happy couple receive.

From best friends to distant relatives – you can’t turn up to a wedding empty handed. But that doesn’t make finding the right present any easier. .People often get trapped in the never-ending cycle of trying to find something both personal and endearing that they hope will last a lifetime. Stop, take a deep breath, and take your hand off the credit card.

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/quattro_ftw/

The happy couple will be overawed with toasters and tea-sets on their wedding day. Perhaps instead of worrying about the rest of their lives you should try and make sure they live in the moment. Giving a present that can be used on their honeymoon or to help them adjust to married life after three weeks in the sun might ultimately prove the most worthwhile they receive. Whilst dining sets and teapots will end up boxed away in the attic, you will have given them something that they’ll always remember.

Read on to find out about a few gifts you can give to help the newlyweds make the most of the beginning of their marriage.

Book them a limo to the airport

A wedding day isn’t only the best day of your life, it’s probably be the longest. After all the ceremonies are over, the wedding buffet has been finished and the dance floor has been suitably christened, all the happy couple will want to do is get on their honeymoon.

Whether they are leaving the next morning after or in a few weeks, why not book them a limousine so they can travel to the airport in style. Not only will you be keeping the feel good factor going but you will be providing them with yet another fantastic memory to cherish. Beats a trouser press any day.

A honeymoon adventure

Two weeks lying on a beach might sound like the perfect honeymoon but you could help make it even better with some creative thinking. Once you know where they are going you can start researching the local attractions and most popular places to visit.

And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Whilst boat trips in the Caribbean or a camel ride through the Sahara are undoubtedly fantastic, something which you have taken the time to organise will have that unbeatable personal touch.

A meal under the stars

Honeymoons are about romance after all. Help the happy couple enjoy a tender meal together in one of their destination’s best restaurants. If possible, try and arrange for their favorite drinks to be stocked or their first song to be played when they arrive. It’ll be the perfect Hollywood finale for the newlyweds honeymoon.

Groceries galore

The last thing you want to do after being on honeymoon is worry about having milk for your morning cornflakes when you get home. Help the happy couple out by stocking their fridge with everything they’d need or organize an online shop to be delivered when they return. This budget-friendly gesture might not be the most expensive gift they will receive, but it might just be the most appreciated.

A trip away

The newlyweds might be just back from their honeymoon but after a few weeks of unpacking and mountains of thank you cards, they’ll need another holiday. A great gift can be to either book them a short trip away or give them some wedding gift vouchers so they can choose their own destination.

What is the most unusual wedding gift you’ve ever heard of? Would you ever consider buying the happy couple something for their honeymoon?

16 Jun 2013
Tags: unique wedding gifts
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