Wedding Venues in Chester

by Chris Morton

Planning your Chester wedding day is undoubtedly a truly special time in your life. Making sure that the arrangements are all perfect is crucial so that you can enjoy the experience with your partner.
A beautiful venue will make the Chester wedding photographer's job much easier and the result will be some spectacular pictures of your day.
Your decision on which Chester wedding venue to choose will reflect on your everlasting memories of your perfect day. Finding the perfect wedding venue in Chester may help you on your way to the best start for your new marriage so take your time to choose. It is a good idea to make sure that the wedding venue that you select can accommodate all your needs so that you can relax and enjoy the biggest celebration. Attending a Chester Wedding Show is a good use of your time and will help with your choices.
Some thought should be taken as to where you will have your Chester wedding venue - will you choose city centre or go slightly further afield into the beautiful surrounding Cheshire countryside? How far will your wedding guests have to travel? Does the venue have accommodation and plenty of parking?
Chester has a fantastic and romantic history and this can bring people from further away to experience their special day in a Chester wedding venue.
Inviting your friends and family to the city of Chester is brilliant because it is not just your Chester wedding and the excellent venue you have chosen that they will experience. There is plenty to entertain your guests throughout Chester and Cheshire.
Once you have reached the all important conclusion about which Chester wedding venue will host your special day a big chunk of your wedding planning will be arranged. Most wedding venues offer packages which may even include organising decorations, menus, catering, plans for the day's itinerary, right through to organising entertainment during the occasion for you and your guests.
Reading reviews, looking through photographs and visiting the hotels is a great idea before you book.
Here are just a few of the wedding venues which feature at the Directory of Chester:
De Vere Carden Park Hotel, Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa, Crabwall Manor Hotel, Mollington Banastre Hotel and Spa, Queen Hotel, Chester Ramada Hotel, Rowton Hall Country House Hotel

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

By Paul Duxbury

It is a time-honoured tradition that is supposed to bring the bride good luck that she should carry or wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Each one of these items represents something different and can fairly easily be incorporated into the bride's clothing in several different and interesting ways. The tradition goes back centuries and is still honoured by many brides today who are want to ensure a little extra bit of luck for themselves or who want to honour a tradition that has been passed on in their family for years.

Wearing something old is said to express the desire to retain your connections with your family after you enter into your marriage and begin your own family. One lovely way in which to do this is to wear a locket with a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day inside, which will remind you of your family and keeps them close to your heart. Another charming way to wear something old is to have a handkerchief used by one of your ancestors sewn into the lining of the skirt of your wedding dress. Incorporating this item into your wedding dress as a permanent feature is a special way to ensure that you will always remember your family and that they will always be a part of the new family that you and your husband create and which carries on the family into the future.

The tradition of wearing a new item on your wedding day reflects the fact that you and your husband are creating a new union that will endure forever. There are countless ways to incorporate something new into your attire. If you decided to have a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day in a locket that you wear, you might want to think about putting a photo of you and your husband to be into the other side as your new item. Another new item to consider is a piece of jewellery, besides your engagement or wedding ring that was given to you by the groom such as a necklace or bracelet. This is a special way to wear something new because it expresses the love that you and the groom have for each other.

Wearing a borrowed item on your wedding day is used to symbolise your love and admiration for the person from whom you borrowed the item. Wanting to wear something that belongs to a loved one lets them know that you want to include them in your wedding in a very special way by wearing something that either is held very dear to them or is something that represents them symbolically. One way to include a borrowed item into your wedding is to ask to borrow a friend's signature piece of jewellery. If you have a close friend who has worn the same necklace for as long as you have known her, you might consider borrowing this particular necklace for your wedding day as a reminder of your friendship assuming of course that they don't want to wear it to attend your wedding!

Wearing something blue on your wedding day is a symbol of fidelity to one another. It may sound as though incorporating blue into your wedding attire is a difficult task but it really is much easier than it might sound. One easy way to do so is to wear a necklace with a blue stone which is a beautiful yet inconspicuous way to wear blue on your wedding day. Alternatively you could chose to include blue flower in your headdress. Some brides also opt to wear a blue garter under their wedding dress as their blue item.

Brides have been honouring the tradition of wearing an old, a new, a borrowed and a blue item during their wedding for many centuries. Although wearing these items is supposed to symbolize luck for the bride, they are also just a lovely tradition that gives the bride an opportunity to express her admiration for special people in her life.

Planning Your Dream Wedding

ou�ve met the perfect man, and you have the perfect ring on your finger. How do you plan the perfect wedding? While wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming at times, there is a way for you to make things perfect for you and your husband-to-be. All it requires is a little communication and patience while you make w hat seems like a never-ending list of choices and decisions. Breaking your wedding planning down into sections and considering the following questions should have you well on your way to planning your perfect wedding.

First, you will need to choose the kind of reception you would like to have. Are you planning a large wedding, or a more intimate gathering of friends and family? Talk with your relatives and soon to be in-laws to get an idea of what their needs are, as their concept of small may be quite different than yours. Once you have a general idea of how many guests you will have, you can then visit reception possibilities and talk with them about what they offer. Remember that the places you choose to visit have most likely hosted many weddings before yours, and they present suggestions that you haven�t thought about. It is perfectly okay to not have all the answers immediately, and many reception sites will gladly let you take their information so you can spend time considering what they have to offer. If you have questions, be sure to ask them, as this is a great way to see how flexible the site and staff will be to meet your individual needs. Of course, you will need to determine your wedding budget, as the reception will be where you spend the most money.

The next item on your list is to choose the food and the wedding cake. It�s a great idea to sample the food at each reception site, preferably the same food you might choose for your wedding. The time of day that you choose to get married will also impact your food choice. If you choose a mid morning wedding, you might prefer to have a brunch buffet, while an evening wedding calls for more a more formal presentation. Whatever you choose, do not hesitate to ask for references from whoever will be providing the food at your reception. These references will take you beyond the food preparation and help you evaluate service and accuracy.

Flowers, invitations, music and photography are all personal choices you will make based on the style you desire for your wedding. These are also areas that you can trim your budget if you need to. Considering a simplified invitation and less formally arranged flowers can literally save you hundreds of dollars. The perfect wedding does not necessarily need to be the most expensive one! Use your creativity and you will find that your wedding is just as perfect as the man you�ve chosen to marry.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

How To Organize The Perfect Dream Wedding

By Alexander Marlin

That day is finally here, he just proposed to you and now, you have to set in motion the beginning of your new life together.

But, what exactly do you have to do to plan the dream wedding of your life?

Now, I know your anxious to do it all alone, but, you can't do it all alone, you have to get friends and family involved. You have to create a detailed plan for your wedding layout.

Get yourself a binder or a little planner and you and your husband should sit down and plan exactly how much you plan and to spend and exactly what you wish to have in your wedding, it should be very detailed, not leaving out anything.

Next thing to do now, is get family and friends involved, you want to share ideas and make sure you didn't skip anything, the more people you get involved after creating your draft, the more ideas you can add or make changes to your original plan.

Please do remember to stick to your budget.

It is not your job, to go out there and do anything on the day before, during or after your wedding, a dream wedding means you have to organize every detail and assign someone to do everything.

Many people mess up their wedding due to late planning and by not delegating every task, no matter how small.

You should have one family member take control, or just outsource the whole process, but still assign someone to make sure the caterers delivers on time.

If your planning to have bride maids, make sure everything is planned and arranged months ahead, you don't want to wait for dresses to be fitted one a couple days before the wedding, the fitting should be done one week ahead, sometime even ten days is better.

You will have to consider the following:

1) Wedding Ceremony Where will it be held, how much will it cost, who will take care of what, yes assign someone to take care of this part. Your task is to make sure everything is organized.

2) Guests List Something so simple, but yet so overlooked, will you be using a guest book, assign someone to make sure everyone signs the book, and that there is a pen available. You second list is the one you create together with both sides of the family, that is the list of who you will be inviting. Plan this together, you don't want Granny getting mad, because you forget to invite some long time friend of the family.

3) Wedding Reception You have to consider if your having a band, a singer or maybe a DJ. How many people are you catering for, you want everything to be just right. Do this one correct, it is the one most overlooked.

4) Organize The Venue Yes, make sure you know who will be adding the flowers and decorations. Make it a point that it will be done a day ahead of the ceremony, that way you can make any changes if needed.

5) Date Of The Wedding You won't believe how many people fail to plan a date that will fit within the planned schedule for getting organizing their wedding. Plan way ahead, and get invitations and stationary order in advance, that should be the first thing you organize.

6) Your Dream Wedding Cake Make sure to do this part yourself, go out and find your dream wedding cake maker and go over every detail that you wish this cake to have. Please state the time and date that you would like this cake to be delivered. The cake should be the last thing going to the venue.

7) Please do enjoy your wedding day Try to keep out of each others way, should you not agree with something, please have considerations for each other, your planning the dream wedding of your life. No need, to get mad on your wedding day.

And if you feel this is just too much for you to organize, the get yourself a wedding planner.

I wish you both, a long lasting life together, may you enjoy a dream wedding fit for a king and a queen.

Final Planning Tips for Your Wedding Day

Penny Olson

Recently, I went to my home town to help my Mother and my Sister with the final planning for my Sister�s wedding. Every member of my family is a "Do-It-Yourselfer", so we had an unbelievable amount of flower arrangements, pew decorations, garlands, candles, silver, you name it, we had to set it up. We were working with a total of four hours to decorate the church, a huge reception hall, a large lobby and two gazebos.

When I arrived at home I felt a little bit overwhelmed with the amount of time that was allotted and the sheer volume of decorating that we had to execute within the tiny window. But we were able to pull it off with time to relax and enjoy the beauty of all of the work that gone into it during the many, many months prior.

The first thing that had to happen was to figure out how many people were able to come and help us to decorate. It really helps, but it is not totally necessary to have a group of people that have an eye for design. Anyone that is willing is completely capable to come and lend a hand.

My mother and I set up all of the arrangements in my parents� basement, just as they would be set up in each of their locations around the hall and Church. With a digital camera, we snapped a photo of each so that if necessary, we had a visual reference for all of our helpers and our intentions for the finished product. A digital camera and a computer with a color printer are the handiest tools to have at this point. But regular, 4x6 photos are just as helpful, it will just cost a bit more and take a little longer to get them printed.

While everything was arranged in the basement, we numbered each piece with a small piece of masking tape and a number so that the set up on the big day of hustle and bustle always started at one and went from the left to the right.

Then we packed everything for transport in banana boxes that we got from the local grocery store. You may be saying, �Why banana boxes?� They are very strong and also very light, so you can fill them with just about anything and not have to worry about the bottom dropping out. The top of each box was labeled with the exact location of its contents, ie: On top of the piano in the lobby. We then loaded all the boxes in a logical order, with similar decorations grouped together, into a rented box truck.

When we arrived on the morning of decorating, there was crew of 12 waiting for us, so we hopped out of the truck and handed out instruction sheets to each person stating how everything was labeled, what the general layout would be, what to expect once they opened the boxes, and who they could come to if they had any questions at all. From that point, everyone was off and running. It went like clockwork, and everyone let us know that they were very thankful that we were all on the same page. Due to the extra time that we put into organizing before we arrived, we finished early and were able to enjoy all of the work that we had done and got a few photos of the venue that was decorated beautifully, before any of the guests arrived.

The day of the wedding was very relaxing since we didn�t have to go back for last minute touch ups. We could spend the time casually with our family and friends until it was time to get the show on the road that afternoon.

Secrets Of Planning The Perfect Weddings

by Nicola Driscall

Everybody dreams of having a perfect wedding, but like all planned events even the wedding ceremonies generally have one or more glitches, which need to be smoothed. Ultimately one has to remember that the day is for and of the bride and groom and the planned choices that they've made should be honored above the choices of others. Most important thing is to remain calm and cool and stay with your plans.

Before planning your wedding it's important to know exactly what you want before you start making those final decisions that many times can't be reversed. Talk about what you want with your finance. You'll more than likely have a budget that you need to stick to so you'll have to decide what's important to you that you won't give up versus what you're willing to part with.

Your first decision will be the wedding date. If the ceremony will take place in a church or some other heavily used building, confirm that the date is available. If it isn't you'll have to settle on another, so it's a good plan to have several possibilities when you are ready to book.

You'll need to plan your budget carefully. Use common sense when choosing some things for your wedding. Where possible think of ways where you can cut costs. For instance, if you want to hire a DJ to handle the music at your reception you might want to ask around to see if you know anyone who can do this for you at a low price.

When you start buying the things that you need for your wedding use a list that includes all costs and items that you need and make sure that you stick to it. Contact merchants in your area that offer the services that you need and see if you can negotiate a better price. After all, it never hurts to try.

Choosing the photographer for your wedding is one of the most important decisions that you'll make since your photos, like your memories, will last a life time. Take your time looking for the right photographer before making your final decision. Ask to see plenty of samples so that you can see the range of photos that the photographer can take. You want to be certain that the pictures that you want are possible.

You need to decide how many people that you're going to invite to your wedding. Be realistic when you're counting heads. If your budget doesn't allow you to have a huge guest list you'll have to start making cutbacks and limiting those family members and friends that will be getting an invite.

After you have your headcount, you'll need to find a caterer that you can afford and who will be able to prepare the foods that you plan to serve. Remember that there is more to choosing a caterer than cost alone.

So you have to decide on a number of things while planning for your wedding. And to be sure that you have taken care of all aspects get somebody - a friend or sister to help you with the planning. And it definitely pays to have some body help you decide on things like music for the reception, the decorations and the menu etc.

Above all you must enjoy the planning and the execution of one of the most special days of your life. Enjoy!

What You Need For An Inexpensive Wedding

by Dori C

Let's face it, the cost of a wedding these days continues to rise and some people like to spare no expense when it comes to their special day. For those of us who are on a tight budget, planning an inexpensive wedding does not have to be low key or even plain. In fact, if you can pull out the artist in you and look into these tips then you will be well on your way!

Location is something that a bride can really start to obsess about, especially if she has had a location in her mind since she was a little girl. A neighborhood church will have everything that you need, or you can even have it on the beach or in the privacy of your own backyard. Each option comes with a tiny price tag, which will allow you to spend money on other aspects of your wedding.

Your wedding gown is going to be your top priority so do not get so down when you realize ho much of a budget you are actually buried under. There are plenty of discount bridal stores that offer a plethora of wedding dresses that are sure to cater to each and every bride-to-be's needs. You may have to do a little bit of extra digging for the right dress, but once you have found it, you will know you have the right dress at the right price.

Being crafty is going to save you huge amounts of money so get ready to raid the craft store. Save money by making your own wedding invitations as well as decorations and make sure that you decorate your wedding yourself. You will know what you want so do not worry about hiring someone to do it all for you.

Pictures will always be one of the most important roles within an inexpensive wedding so why not utilize some freelance services. You can find a freelance photographer online and they will be able to get what you need at a certain price. If this is a luxury that you simply cannot afford, a close friend will do just fine as well!

After you have most of the details taken care of for the wedding day, it is always important to set aside some time for your honeymoon. You do not have to travel locally at all if you know where to look for the right deals. The Internet is full of locations and destinations all at a low price because no one is traveling as much anymore.

Everyone is going to want to head to a place for the reception so that they can wind down and have a little bit of fun. Renting out a community center for the day will be incredibly cost efficient and big enough to hold everyone! Take a look around your neighborhood and see what you find!

When planning your inexpensive wedding, you need to stay on your toes and always think of new ideas for the big day. Many people tend to think that because there is budget, it means that they cannot have what they dreamed of. You can anything that you want as long as it is within your set budget!

Wedding Checklist: The month of your wedding

by Georgina Clayworthy

Finally you have reached the most important and exciting phase of your wedding planning. With just 4 weeks until the big day, it is time to make sure all arrangements are in place, all bookings are confirmed and the fine details in place.

Wedding Checklist: 4 weeks to go!

- Submit your application for your marriage license. - Arrange a final fitting for your wedding dress. Take your chief bridesmaid along with you, particularly if you will need some help with your dress on the day. - Confirm with your attendants (bride's and groom's) that they have all the attire and accessories, know their duties and the schedule for the day. - Confirm details with all your vendors - caterers, florists, baker etc. - Write and print out your wedding program. - If you have out-of-town guests coming, make up some welcome baskets or bags for them. - If you will be living elsewhere after your wedding, send change of address information to the post office. - Write out your thank you cards for wedding gifts as you receive them. - If any guests have not yet confirmed, ask your mother or chief bridesmaid to contact them.

Wedding Checklist: One to Two Weeks Ahead

- Organize your seating plan and write your place cards. - Confirm the final guest numbers with your caterer and confirm any last minute details. - Prepare the wedding toasts for your rehearsal dinner and the reception. - Break in your wedding shoes by wear them around the house and on carpeted floors. - Arrange for someone to come in and take care of any houseplants/pets while you are away on honeymoon. - Collect your wedding dress. - Have fun at your hen/bachelorette/stag/bachelor parties. - Give your family your travel information and contact numbers in case they need to contact you. - Make the final revisions to your seating plan.

Wedding Checklist: The Day before Your Wedding

- Take some time out to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. - Delegate responsibilities to members of your wedding party including whole will hand out the button holes and corsages, greet the guests and check on vendors/suppliers. - Confirm your wedding transportation booking. - Get some pre-wedding pampering with a manicure. - Give your wedding party their gifts. - Attend your ceremony rehearsal. - Enjoy your rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Checklist: Day of the Wedding

- Present your parents with their thank you gifts. - Enjoy your wedding day and all your hard work!

Some Ideas for your Wedding

by Nicholas Wilshire

Getting married is one of the most important parts of your life. It is a way to show that you are committed to the one you love and that you will stay with them for the rest of your life. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well there is an awful lot of planning that goes into a wedding (sometimes years!) and a lot of stress but it's all worth it when it comes to your big day.

Most women begin with the dress. The dress has to be glamorous, stylish and beautiful. Obviously different women prefer different dresses. Some like white while others like red. Some like traditional whereas others like modern. Wedding dresses do not come cheap so you want to make sure you have the one you love. Then comes the suits. The groom and his party (usually the father of the groom, best man and other male relatives) usually wear matching morning suits. There come accesorised with matching ties and waistcoats. After that you have the bridesmaid dresses. They have to match with the colour scheme of the wedding but shouldn't look better than the bride!

Once you've got everyone dressed it's time to sort out the venue. Some people like the idea of getting married in a church whereas others prefer a civil ceremony in a hotel or registry office. Whichever you choose don't forget the flowers.

Then comes the reception. This is the big party afterwards to celebrate your wedding. You may choose to have it at home or have a more fancy do. You will need to organise food and entertainment for a reception. Some people will have a sit down wedding breakfast, this entails making up a table plan too. Don't forget that some of your guests will have special food requirements too so be sure to check with them.

Of course you will need transportation to get to and from the wedding/reception. Most brides arrive in a limo but you can use a vintage car, motorbike or even horse drawn carriage. Then you need to get your guests from the wedding to the reception. A coach service would probably be the most cost effective way of this and you won't have people getting lost on the way! Then there is the bride and groom departure. This is not so important so feel free to use a friend’s car, a VIP coach, or even a taxi.

Finally it's the honeymoon. The holiday after you get married. It should be romantic and be somewhere where you can enjoy each others company and not have to worry about anyone else.

Then there are all the other little things to organise too such as the invitations, flowers, gifts for your wedding party, favours, the cake, and the list goes on! But even though you will be stressing out that everything has to go right, don't forget to enjoy it! It's the biggest day of your life so take pleasure in your family and friends celebrating with you and have a great day.

Beach Weddings

by Jason Hennessey

A wedding is one of the most memorable days that you have in your lifetime. These days most couples are choosing to have their weddings in exotic locations. They prefer the natural setting that a beach offers. Some of these exotic locations have breathtaking beaches and this is where the weddings take place. There are some ideas that you can incorporate in your planning that can make it a memorable experience. These ideas include:

The invitation

Give your guests a hint of the wedding location by putting some sand in their invitations. This is a unique way of doing things. You can also include a picture of a beach on the invitation to prepare them for what is coming.

Finding the best place

Select a place that will suit your wedding theme and also take into consideration the distance your guests will have to travel in order to attend it. If the place is too far, some might find it difficult to attend. Make sure that the facilities are in good order at the beach you choose.

Make an early start

Such weddings usually need a lot of preparation and you need to do adequate research on the location. The state you are getting married in may need you to fulfill some requirements, which can take even months. Make sure you start the preparations early to avoid any disappointments.

Enquire about everything

Do not feel embarrassed to ask questions, as this will ensure that you are well armed with the necessary information. Read as many magazines on the subject as you can find and ask for advice form those who have had beach weddings.

Have back up

These wedding are held in the open and so the weather can be unpredictable even when you closely follow the weather focus. Have an alternative place to have the wedding just incase it rains.

Consult a professional

Make sure the person you choose has experience working with beach weddings. The best people to chose are those who are familiar with the area that the wedding will be held at.

Give your guests directions

The guests that you invite to your wedding should have an easy time finding the beach. Provide them with sunscreen and some refreshments to make them feel welcome to the place.

Get there early

Make preparations to get to the location early so that you are sure everything is going according to plan. This will help you relax as you wait for the ceremony to start. Take a lot of fluids to keep you well hydrated.

Have agreements in writing

When planning for a beach wedding you should keep in mind that you may be having it in place that is not familiar therefore any orders that you make should be signed for. This makes it easy to make claims if things are not done according to the contract.

A wedding on the beach is the perfect way to have a simple and intimate ceremony within natural surroundings and with the right preparations you can make it a day to remember. Just chose the perfect beach and take into consideration any weather changes and you are set.

How to have a Cheap Wedding

by Ella Demegillo

A wedding is probably the most expensive occasion you will ever have to plan for,3 billion dollars per year. Just because your budget cannot stretch to pay for all those expensive 'necessities', it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique,carried out properly, the majority of guests will not even realize they have attended a 'cheap wedding'.BTW, I found a site about Madrid stag party in Spanish:despedidas soltero Madrid. However, sometimes all that is needed is some help with the planning to help lower that total,perhaps using the savings on something more worthwhile.

Cheap Bridal Gown

Fortunately there are several options available to help reduce this cost, including the option of a dress that has been worn before. As the wedding dress has probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price; consider buying an evening gown or cocktail dress from a department store perhaps even look into renting your dress for the day.

Planning the Reception

The most expensive area is the wedding reception but savings can be made here as well,with close to 200 people attending, the reception is the first place to make your cheap wedding more of a reality. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum: ask yourself if you really need to invite family members you haven't seen for years; instead, opt for a three course meal or a hot and cold buffet.

Other cost reductions can be made in where the wedding reception is held; it could take place in a friend's house or a local club where money could be saved on beverages if they are supplied directly.

The Wedding Photographer

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but look at hiring the photographer just for the service; ask family members and friends to take photos of the reception - most will be more than happy to do this. Some people save money by dispensing with the professional photographer entirely; using a friend or relation may sound strange at first but you can guarantee one of them is a keen amateur photographer.

Cheaper Contemporary Wedding Invitations

It is also easy to save money on your wedding by designing and printing all your own stationery; with a good computer program and a home printer it is amazing how professional the results are these days. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print; so as not to make any costly mistakes, all from the benefit of your probably underused PC.

The Wedding Flower Arrangements

Cost cutting measures can also be found in the area of flowers and their arrangement; these can actually be purchased in large quantities from wholesalers or even from your own garden if you have the capacity. If you have one of your friends make the wedding cake you can save some serious money; there probably won't be any need for five or six tiers either just as an alternative to the traditional fruit filling could be tried.

Wedding Cars and Limousines

Although it is nice to have a luxury limousine to transport you to the wedding, a friend's car can be just as special but at less cost; they will probably jump at the chance.

Money saved because it was a cheap wedding can be used productively; especially if the couple is planning to buy a house!

Minor But Important Duties For Your Wedding Party, Bridesmaids, and Groomsmen

by Tim & Tammy Smith

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they've selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don't know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who's, what's, when's, and why's, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I'm going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant's. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don't realize that the Bride and Groom's first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don't forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.

Your Wedding Party's Roles and Responsibilities

The role of an attendant is fun yet also carries a large responsibility, which is why the bride and groom should choose persons they are close to and trust to handle important details before, during and after the ceremony.

Maid (unmarried)/Matron (married) of Honor Checklist:

� Share the bride�s excitement and joy of the wedding
� Help choose dresses at the brides request (and pay for her own attire including dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories)
� Help with any other details of planning and preparing for the wedding (as required by the bride)
� Throw a bridal shower and bachelorette party (if the bride desires one) for the bride
� Purchase shower gift
� Attend all pre-wedding parties (per invitation)
� Purchase wedding gift
� Help bride with any last minute details
� Stay by the bride�s side at the ceremony site to assist with any preparation details
� Precede the bride down the aisle during the ceremony, hold the groom�s ring, the bride�s bouquet, fold back the bride�s veil and straighten the train as needed.
� Stand in the receiving line next to the groom immediately following the ceremony. Sign the marriage license as an official witness
� Sit to the groom�s left during dinner at the reception. Attend to any details to help the bride, accompanying her to the washroom, bustling the train and taking part in special dances with the bridal party
� Attend gift opening party
Bridesmaid Checklist
� Share the brides excitement and joy of the wedding
� Help choose bridesmaids dresses if the bride requests and be fitted once the choice is made by the bride (and pay for her own attire including dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories)
� Help with any other details of planning and preparing for the wedding (as required by the bride)
� Assist the maid of honor in throwing a bridal shower/bachelorette party for the bride
� Purchase shower gift
� Attend all pre-wedding parties (per invitation)
� Purchase wedding gift
� Help bride with any last minute details
� During the ceremony, lead the procession down the aisle, usually return down the aisle after the ceremony escorted by a groomsman
� Following the ceremony, stand in the receiving line next to the maid of honor
� At the reception, sit at the head table during dinner in an alternating pattern with the groomsmen. Attend to any details to help the bride. Take part in special dances for the bridal party
� Attend gift opening party

Personal Attendant Checklist

While this may be the least glamorous of all positions, it can be the most important in helping the bride relax and enjoy her wedding day, knowing this trusted friend/relative is there to help. The bride should make a list of tasks up ahead of time for which the personal attendant will be responsible for, these duties may include:

� Assist the bride in getting dressed and ready
� Pin on the corsages and boutonnieres
� Prepare the bride to walk down the aisle, last minute touch-ups, fluffing the train
� Gather people for pictures
� Make sure the wedding party has their belongings after the ceremony
� Keep track of the toss bouquet until it�s needed
� Oversee transportation of the gifts to the gift opening site or the couple�s home
� Attend the gift opening party and keep a record of gifts

Best Man Checklist

� Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
� Organize the bachelor party
� Buy wedding gift
� Be sure the groom arrives at the wedding site on time
� Carry the bride�s ring
� Stand by the groom�s side at ceremony
� Sign the marriage license as an official witness. Give clergy member payment (provided by groom)
� At the reception, sit to the bride�s left during dinner. Offer the first �toast� to the bride and groom
� The day after the wedding may gather all rented clothing from the groom�s wedding party and return it to the formal wear store

Groomsman Checklist

� Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
� Assist the best man in organizing the bachelor party
� Buy wedding gift
� Stand by the best man during the ceremony
� Escort bridesmaid down the aisle
� Decorate the wedding couple�s "getaway" car (as guests file through the receiving line)
� At the reception, sit at the head table during dinner in an alternating pattern with the bridesmaids. Take part in special dances for the bridal party

Ushers Checklist

� Be measured for formal wear (pay for rental of his own formal wear including shoes and accessories)
� Buy wedding gift
� Attend the rehearsal, practice lighting and extinguishing the candles, familiarize himself with entrance, exit and bathroom locations for the guests� comfort and learn seating arrangements
� Arrive at the wedding site an hour before to get boutonnieres, ready the programs and help with any last-minute details
� If guests of the bride and groom are to be seated in separate sections, ascertain the guests� relationship to the couple. Once this is established the right arm is offered to the lady, who is then escorted to the open pew closest to the front of the church. The farthest-forward pews are traditionally reserved for immediate family members
� Usher in the mother of the groom then the mother of the bride last, and then unroll the aisle runner. Stay in the back of the church during the ceremony, directing late guests to back or side seats
� Immediately after the wedding party has walked down the aisle, escort out the mothers of the bride and groom, and sometimes direct the departure of guests in an orderly manner
� Decorate the wedding couple�s "getaway" car (as guests file through the receiving line)
� At the reception, sit at the head table and enjoy the rest of the reception as a guest
Ring Bearer, Flower Girls, Junior Bridesmaids, Miniature Brides, etc.

Children assume these roles which differ from wedding to wedding, largely depending on the bride and groom�s desires and the maturity and capability of each child. Feel free to incorporate children into your ceremony and celebrations as desired, or elect to let the children enjoy themselves as guests.

Attendants' Gifts

After the bride and groom have chosen their attendants, they have yet another decision to make: buying the attendants' gifts. Tradition dictates that bridesmaids should receive similar gifts, as should the groomsmen, although special gifts are sometimes given to the best man and maid of honor. Similar need not mean exact, however. Local gift shops offer gift baskets or boxes which can be filled with an assortment of treasures, such as soaps, perfumes, lotions, bath oil beads, powders, shower gels, candles, cheeses, crackers, or liqueurs, just to name some of the choices. Baskets and boxes can be decorated with lace, linens, dried flowers or bows. Each basket or box can thus be personalized to fit the recipient without giving "different'' gifts.
Other, more traditional, selections abound. Consider wallets, pen and pencil sets, belt buckles, pewter mugs and silver key rings for men; chains, necklaces, disc charms and silver bangle bracelets for women.
More contemporary gifts might include exotic plants, recreational accessories or handmade (preferably by the bride or groom) crafts. Some couples prefer to pay for the rental or purchase of all clothing and related items their attendants will wear.
A gift is a meaningful token of appreciation. It says "thank you" for sharing, celebrating and attending the most joyous ceremony a man and woman will ever plan together. After many years have passed, the responsible attendants can look back at the wedding and smile, proudly remembering the contributions that helped make the wedding a success.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Tips On Planning A Cheap Wedding

by Diane crowford

Some might find this hard to believe, but planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. It's also great fun and can be really unique and creative too! So if you're planning a cheap wedding in the future, here are some great tips and ideas for you...

1. Cheap Wedding Locations. Planning a cheap wedding location is not impossible. In fact, you can have wedding ceremonies in a variety of places that are completely free. The local park is a great example. There's usually no cost to go to a public park, and planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn't usually require any permits or other fees either. Double check with your local city authorities just to be sure first of course.

The Beach is another free place to have a wedding ceremony, as is many churches for that matter. Other ideas include: Having your ceremony at a family member's home, or having the ceremony in your own back yard. If the wedding couple loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have the wedding ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or flower conservatory too.

2. Cheap Wedding Receptions. Planning a cheap wedding reception is not too difficult either. One way to keep the reception super cheap is to make it a pot luck meal. You can have the guests each bring their own dish, and this could be requested in place of having them buy you wedding presents if you'd like.

If you'd rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then ask a few family members to get together and cook the food as a wedding gift to you.

Planning a cheap wedding reception should also involve choosing cheap or free locations for the reception too. Try to make the wedding reception co-incide with the ceremony in some way. If you plan to have your wedding ceremony in the gazebo at the park for instance, then plan for the reception to be a barbecue or picnic style event in that same park.

Another easy and cheap example of course, is if you have the wedding ceremony in your home. Then you can plan to have the reception in your home as well, or out in the backyard if the weather is nice. If you're planning a cheap wedding on the beach, an excellent reception idea is to have a beach party afterwards... bonfire and all.

3. Cheap Wedding Decorations. When planning a cheap wedding you'll of course need to keep the cost of decorations down as much as possible. You don't have to go without them completely though, you just need to improvise.

Instead of buying expensive flowers for instance, try decorating with balloons and streamers instead. Go to a local craft or fabric store and buy a few spools of pretty ribbon, then tie the balloons together with strips of the ribbon done up in a bow. Also tie the ribbons into bows themselves, then tape the ribbon bows around for decorations by themselves.

Another idea for creating cheap table decorations is to simply collect some pretty rocks. Wash them clean, then arrange them creatively on tables or other surfaces. You could even paint the rocks to match your desired wedding color theme.

Here's a great idea if you're planning a cheap wedding that will have an outdoor, picnic or barbecue style reception: buy pretty paper plates and napkins instead of using expensive china dishes.

As you can see with just these few ideas, planning a cheap wedding can actually be a lot of fun!

Have an Elegant But Cheap Wedding

By lin tong

The wedding industry is a billion dollar a year business with the average wedding costing the couple almost twenty thousand dollars. This will be the cost of your wedding if you plan to stick to designer dresses and expensive details in your wedding. However, if you are a person who is planning a cheap wedding on a budget there are some ideas that you can use.

One of the most expensive parts of the wedding is the reception as most venues will charge people per plate and depending on what you would like to serve to your guests for dinner each plate can be very expensive, some ranging from fifty to one hundred dollars per plate. Just image that you have invited two hundred people to your wedding and all have replied yes to your wedding and your dinners are going to cost you one hundred dollars a plate. This is an enormous expense that you can avoid if you are willing to have something different than a sit down catered reception. Another great way to save money is to lump everything to a single caterer. This means that the one caterer will provide the tables and chairs, even the tent if needed. There are some people who choose to cook their own food and have friends serve it but this is taking things a step further and you are giving yourself a great deal of work prior to your wedding when you are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying the moment.

If you are on a strict budget then you might want to forgo buying an expensive dress and you might want to consider renting one. There are a number of bridal stores that offer a large selection of second hand dresses that you can rent at a reduced price and the dress will be returned the day after the wedding. People often don like to go for this option as they feel that the dress has been worn too many times so that it isn theirs. If you do not want to rent a dress from a store you might consider borrowing a wedding dress from a friend. Some friends may even let you alter the dress in such a way so that you make it your own. A wedding dress is not something that a person wears everyday and often the dress is placed in the back of closet and never looked at again after the wedding day. There a number of ways that you can save money and not buying a brand new wedding dress is one of them.

There is a number of wedding supply stores that offer brides readymade wedding favours. However, what people don think about is that these favours can possibly be made at home for half of the price. For example if you are looking for a cheap inexpensive wedding favour you can fill up a bag with heresy kissing and type out some tags that simply say a bag full of kisses for the new Mr. And Mrs. These favours are great hit and do not cost a great deal of money to make. The possibilities are endless.

Cheap Weddings : How to Have a Great Wedding on Any Budget

By Ray Lam

Probably the most money you will spend for a single day will be that for your wedding; the average cost of a wedding today is 20 to 25 thousand dollars with an industry estimated at 25.3 billion dollars per year. It is understandable that many couples feel pressured into spending money they do not have but it really isn't necessary; carried out properly, the majority of guests will not even realize they have attended a 'cheap wedding'. All you need is a few cost saving ideas to point you in the right direction; which should make for an exciting, memorable day without the financial pain.

Hand Me Down Bespoke Wedding Dresses

Fortunately there are several options available to help reduce this cost, including the option of a dress that has been worn before. The huge cost of a new wedding dress cannot always be justified these days; many bridal shops carry a large number of previously owned dresses that can be hired or bought for considerably less than new.

The Reception

It is easy for couples to get swept up in the excitement and spend a small fortune on the reception; statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend so when you are planning your cheap wedding, this is where most savings take place. Don't invite everyone you know, in particular relatives you haven't seen since you were a child; as far as the meal is concerned why not have a buffet instead of a full, waited on, three course meal.

Although it is nice to hold the wedding reception in a beautiful hotel, this can be another huge expense but alternatives exist; there are many clubs that would be perfectly suitable or even the home of a good friend or relative that is large enough.

Images of the Wedding

Photographers are expensive but there is generally no need to hire one for the whole day; why not have your friends and relatives take pictures during the reception. Although it may sound like an unusual idea, you always have the option to not use a professional photographer at all; there is no reason why the photos can't be taken by your guests and you will find yourself saving many hundreds if not thousands, of dollars.

PC Produced Personalized Wedding Invites

Other areas where you can be assured of saving money is wedding invitations and other stationery; today's home computers and printers are able to provide near professional results. Many people are now competent enough to produce near professional quality work; problems and errors can be corrected quickly without regular visits to the printers.

The Wedding Flowers

Cost cutting measures can also be found in the area of flowers and their arrangement; these can actually be purchased in large quantities from wholesalers or even from your own garden if you have the capacity. Many people have friends who are very capable cooks and love to bake so why not let them bake a two or three tier wedding cake; this can be made from sponge or even a chocolate cake which tends to be favorite amongst people these days.

The Transportation

Most people, when asked, feel proud if their car can be used as wedding transportation; it is surprising how impressive this can look when done properly.

Cheap weddings are possible without the wedding seeming it has been cost driven; the point is that guests enjoy the day

Save Money With Cheap Wedding Ideas

By ossie91y3

When you want to save money on your wedding there are many cheap wedding ideas that will still allow you to have an elegant wedding that won’t look cheap. You do have to have a sum of money in mind that you want to spend for the wedding because you don’t want to have to spend years paying for it or have to cancel your honeymoon plans because the wedding costs were higher than you anticipated. The clothing for the wedding is a major factor in determining the cost and since you only wear this once, why buy when you can rent for a very inexpensive cost? Most grooms rent the tuxedo, but you can also rent your wedding dress as well.

Bake your own wedding cake or have a friend do it for you. You can rent the various pans you need for the layers and freeze the cakes until need to thaw them for decorating. It is a lot cheaper to simply have a plain chocolate or white cake rather than a fruit cake and most people like the tastes of these simple cakes. Decorating the cake doesn’t have to be costly either. If you take the cake to a bakery to be decorated, this only involves the cost of the icing and the time, but you can do things more cheaply by icing the cake yourself first. The all the decorator has to do is add the special touches. Dollar stores also have cheap ornaments and flowers with which you can enhance the cake rather than having it professionally decorated.

Why don’t you have a pot luck reception? Many couples are now turning to this style of offering a meal at the reception instead of paying the expense of a caterer and a hot or cold meal. When you send out your invitations, you can ask the guests to bring along their favourite dishes. Although some will not like this idea you will have a wide range of foods to offer for the meal many more than you have with a catered meal.

Guests do not expect you to pay for all the drinks at the wedding. While you do have the wine on the table, this can be wine you made and bottled yourself by using a wine kit. If there is a cash bar, you can give the guests two free drinks, but nowadays guests normally accept that they will have to pay for all their drinks. In locations where there is a liquor licence, you may be permitted to bring alcoholic beverages onto the property and in this way each guest can bring their own drinks.

Instead of paying a high price for a photographer, ask the guests to give you the negatives of the photos they take. Since most people now use digital cameras, you can simply supply your email address and have all the photos emailed to you. Then you just buy the photo paper and print off the ones you like best. You can also have these enlarged at any photo store because they are not copyrighted.

Silver Wedding Favors

By Mae Andrea

Unless you have a big budget then I am not talking about solid silver wedding favors here, but simply silver colored. That said, silver plated favors may be within your price range.

Silver favors can make very stylish gifts and one’s which your guests are bound to appreciate more than any other (except edible favors that is!). So if silver is your color then here is my suggestions for some stylish silver wedding favors:

1. Candle Holders: Ever popular candles make excellent gifts, particularly scented votive candles which are small enough to fit in most boxes or bags. So if you want to give candles include a stylish silver candle holder alongside it.
2. Trinket boxes: There are many styles and designs available so you should be able to find one to fit with your wedding style or theme. Try to find silver plated versions which keep their shine for longer and have a more quality feel to them.
3. Wedding Bells: Wedding bells are a common sight at traditional weddings and favor stores often stock a choice of sizes and style to choose from. Tradition has it that when the happy couple enters the room, the guests are to ring the bells and the couple has to kiss. If the idea of hundreds of ringing bells doesn’t appeal to you then be sure to buy silent versions!
4. Photograph Frames: One of the most common silver favors you will come across. There are many sizes and designs to choose from, although most will buy the frames that accommodate place cards and double them as favors as well.
5. Bottle openers: More silver colored than silver plated so try to find ones with a romantic design such as hearts or keys with a heart shaped top.
6. Bookmarks: Stylish and practical, there are many different designs of bookmark available from favor stores so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty in coordinating them with your wedding.
7. Bud Vases: These elegant vases were once a common sight on ladies dressing tables, into which would be place a single rose bud. Revive the tradition for your female guests with a silver bud vase and silk rose bud (or fresh if you can afford them).
8. Silver edibles: Ok so this may be cheating a bit! But silver colored candies can make a handy substitute if you cannot find a suitable favor made from the real thing. Try silver colored chocolate dragees or almonds in a silver box.
9. Silver Rings: Finally if all else fails you could tie two silver colored rings to your favor packaging with ribbon. You will find these available from craft stores in large packets, so they are an inexpensive solution!

Honeymoon Planning

By: James Gunaseelan

Just like planning a written report or news article, you have to know the who, what, when, where and how in regards to your honeymoon planning. The who and what portions of the planning are no-brainers as the who refers to you and your intended while the what refers to the honeymoon. So do you have any ideas as to the when, where and how in referring to your honeymoon planning?

Typically, most honeymoons occur within a few days of the wedding ceremony although that is not always the case. Some people will plan the wedding based on school or work schedules and plan a honeymoon trip later when both parties can get a large chunk of time off for vacation. Others will decide where they want to go first and then decide on the when in regards to honeymoon planning. If you and your intended have your hearts set on a skiing vacation, then the obvious when in regards to honeymoon planning will be sometimes in the winter months. However, in seeking a tropical destination, the when could occur at any time of year.

Knowing where you are going is crucial to the where part of honeymoon planning. For strict budgets, you will likely stick close to home with the idea of going all out in a few years on a more extravagant vacation. Looser purse strings might see you venturing abroad to foreign countries either by cruise ship or by plane. The where in honeymoon planning is also influenced by what you and your intended’s likes and dislikes are in terms of weather and available activities. Tropical settings offer up the most opportunities for newlyweds and they are also romantic as well.

Unfortunately, the buck sometimes stops right where you don’t want it to – your dream destination for your honeymoon. Unless you want to be in debt for a few years while you pay off your dream honeymoon, it pays to be more sensible in your honeymoon planning. There is no reason not to choose a destination based on what your budget will allow and still plan that dream destination vacation for a later date. For some couples, a cruise makes economical sense in terms of the how of honeymoon planning. Your food, drink, activities and accommodations are not only under one roof but also part of one price. Plus, with this type of honeymoon, you can still see new places each time the ship makes port during your cruise. Let your budget dictate what you can and cannot afford in terms of your honeymoon destination. Honeymoon planning doesn’t have to be rocket science, just plain old common sense with a hint of dreams and romance thrown in.

A-Z In Wedding Planning

by Amy nutt

Many brides become exhausted and nervous before the wedding, because they fear that things are not going to go as planned. They worry about tripping over their gown, falling on their shoes, messing up their make-up, but most of all, they worry that they have forgotten something in the planning stages. In order to alleviate those fears, the bride and anyone who is helping with the planning can follow some tips to prevent anything from going wrong.

• Invest in a wedding planner book - available in all bookstores.

• Make a list of everything you need to do and at what stage of the planning process. This will depend upon the amount of time between the commencement of your engagement and the wedding. The more time you have, the less stressful the planning will be.

• Don't make the mistake of thinking you can do everything. Enlist the help of any friends and family who offer. Encourage your fiancé to join you in the planning process, especially with the guest list. It is his wedding, too, so he should not be exempt from helping with the decision-making.

• As you complete each task, cross it off your list and go on to the next thing. Remember to have a list of things that need to be completed before the wedding, as well as a list for those things you wish to confirm a few days before the wedding.

• If you're planning to have a band instead of just a disc jockey, allow enough time for auditions, unless you have heard the band. You don't want to hire someone who advertises a good price and then find out they do not play the music you want or are amateurish and not quite ready for professional gigs. You want to pay for talent, not someone who is just learning to perform.

It is difficult work to plan a wedding, but the more time you have to plan it, the less stressful it will be. Even if you have been dating for a long time and are in a hurry to make everything legal, don't rush into marriage. Enjoy your engagement and allow yourselves an opportunity to carefully plan your wedding. By taking your time instead of rushing, you stand less chance of forgetting something, and you can take your time obtaining quotes and locating all of the things you need for your wedding.

For wedding planning ideas, the Internet is a great source of information. In lieu of a wedding planner, many sites offer complete wedding planning without the expense of someone planning the event for you. You can buy everything from invitations to decorations and even wedding attire. In addition, you can plan your wedding trip and not even have to leave your home. That makes the process more relaxing, less tiresome, and allows you to plan everything when you are free to do so without worrying about store hours. Planning your wedding online leaves you with little to do in person except for choosing your dress and confirming deliveries such as flowers, food, and even the photographer.