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Post by Cherie Johnson:
A Celebration of Times Past: Planning a Vintage Wedding
Written on June 16th, 2010 | 0 CommentsIn 1840, the pageantry of the American wedding took off, thanks to England’s Queen Victoria, who quickly captivated onlookers around the world. She had thrown one of the most elaborate weddings the world had ever seen up to that time, and it was only natural for her contemporaries to emulate her. Weddings soon became events for everyone to enjoy and were no longer limited to just the couple and their families. They were extravagant celebrations of love, life, and happiness. Full Article
Popping the Question: A Guide to Wedding Proposals
Written on June 10th, 2010 | 0 CommentsThe time has come — you’re ready to ask your best girl to marry you and make it official. Unfortunately, Hollywood has brainwashed us all into thinking that popping the question has to be over-the-top and perhaps even expensive. Yes, it would seem that most of us girls want elaborate wedding proposals, just so we can race home and tell our girlfriends all about it. Full Article
Tips for Writing Wedding Speeches
Written on June 1st, 2010 | 0 CommentsThe best man stands up, adjusts his tie with a quick tug, and nervously clinks his wine glass with his knife. All eyes turn to him, waiting in anticipation of hearing words of wisdom – and even a few jabs – for the newlyweds. Talk about pressure! Full Article
Choosing a Wedding Dress for Your Body Shape
Written on May 13th, 2010 | 0 CommentsLike any bride-to-be, it’s easy to fall in the trap of having to find the perfect dress for your wedding day. Does such a thing exist? Yes, but it’s wise to remember that you’ll go through piles and piles of dresses to find the right one. The pressure of choosing a wedding dress is a common scenario that plays out in many bridal stores, and you’re not alone. As with any article of clothing, however, choosing the appropriate dress for your body shape is important. And if that dress is your wedding gown, there’s added incentive to find the right one. Full Article
The Collaborative Wedding Budget: Coordinating Multiple Parties with Ease
Written on May 3rd, 2010 | 0 CommentsFor husbands-and-brides-to-be with large, extended families, they often find that both sets of parents, and perhaps even grandparents, want to chip in to help defray the soaring cost of today’s weddings, which, on average, come in at a whopping $20,000. Many couples, too, are electing to pick up the rest of the slack. Corralling so many people who want to help with the wedding budget can be a virtual nightmare though. Before simply accepting their good wishes and checks, the very first thing you should do is to sit down with your fiancé and chart a course of action to ensure you’ve covered every element of your wedding that requires a significant contribution. Planning a wedding with a budget in mind comes down to knowing what you’re looking for in terms of venue, vendors, and necessities – this, however, can be easily put to rest with a systematic budget planning roadmap. Full Article
From Favors to Food: Common Bridesmaid Duties
Written on April 13th, 2010 | 0 CommentsLet’s assume you’re here because one of your closest friends just asked you to be in her upcoming wedding. Exciting, right? Sure, the nuptials may be months away, but you still have a few bridesmaid duties you’ll be called upon to do. Depending on the bride, she may or may not ask that much of you. On the other hand, she could have a long list of bridesmaids’ responsibilities just waiting for you to complete. Full Article
Picture Perfect: A Wedding Photographer Checklist
Written on March 30th, 2010 | 0 CommentsChoosing a wedding photographer is incredibly important since it’s one of the primary ways to capture the special moments of your big day. It can be a complicated decision though, and there are certain things to consider when picking the right one. Consider an engagement picture shoot with your photographer prior to the wedding. Chances are he or she will be with you the entire day! This will get you used to the photographer being in your face all day taking pictures. As an added benefit, it will ensure you are more comfortable and less self-conscious about pictures being snapped every three seconds. Full Article
Don’t Forget the Guys: Groomsmen Gift Ideas
Written on March 16th, 2010 | 0 CommentsBridesmaids get showered with fun little gifts to thank them for their participation, so why not the guys? Your groomsmen are your right hand men during all of the festivities, and it’s only fair to give them a little something thanking them for their help as well! Full Article
Recession-Chic: Throwing a Fabulous, Yet Frugal Wedding for Next to Nothing
Written on March 4th, 2010 | 0 CommentsSometimes, less is truly more. In these hard times, saving a few bucks is a necessity. What’s a bride-to-be to do when money is already stretched thin? Recession-chic weddings, the trend of 2010, can be just as classic – but for a whole lot less! Elegance comes in many forms with or without money in hand. Here are a few tips to help you throw a fabulous, yet frugal wedding — on a budget that’s next to nil! Full Article
Wedding Day Tips: Top Ten Details to Remember
Written on January 29th, 2010 | 0 CommentsAs a professional wedding photographer, I’ve seen my share of problem weddings that only add to the ever-present wedding stress. Planned improperly from the get-go, no one person is to blame, but the outcome is upsetting for everyone involved. Often, the bride’s face looks utterly uncomfortable in all the pictures thanks to mile-high heels, guests are kept waiting for an inordinate amount of time, and the bathrooms are a logistical disaster! Full Article
Newly Engaged after the Holidays: Start Planning Your Wedding Now!
Written on January 22nd, 2010 | 0 CommentsCongratulations on your recent engagement! With the holidays over, you can now focus exclusively on planning your wedding day. You have a long road ahead of you, and a lot of decisions waiting in the ‘nuptial pipeline.’ Don’t let that stress get the best of you though – use these tips specifically geared to newly engaged couples! Full Article
A Wedding to Remember: Unique Wedding Ideas They’ll Never Forget
Written on October 6th, 2009 | 0 CommentsThere are very few once in a lifetime events quite like your wedding day. From the flowers and dress to the flavor of the cake, the option to plan and personalize your wedding with your own unique wedding ideas is truly in your court. And we’ve all been to dozens of weddings that follow the standard format – the rehearsal and subsequent dinner, the wedding ceremony where the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and couple walked formally down the aisle, and, finally, the reception, where dancing and dinner is bound to follow. Full Article
Fall in Love with Festive Fall Wedding Favors
Written on September 25th, 2009 | 0 CommentsWhen it comes to picking favors, seasonal products still give you limitless options. And fall wedding favors are no different! There are candle holders, bottle stoppers, bookmarks, champagne flutes, and so many more things that are designed specifically for autumn themed weddings. Full Article
The World’s Top Places for Destination Weddings
Written on September 10th, 2009 | 0 CommentsPlanning a wedding is hard enough in your own home town, but pulling off an event out of town is a true challenge. You barely know your own way around, and now you have dozens if not hundreds of people to account for. But the perks of a destination wedding (and planning one) truly outweigh the negative elements – you experience the romance and mystique of another location while having a wedding/honeymoon/getaway all at the same time. Full Article
Surviving Your Wedding: Stress-Free Wedding Tips
Written on August 27th, 2009 | 0 CommentsIt’s down to the wire, and you find yourself pulling out your hair because the florist is slow at returning your calls, the tailor is taking too long to alter your gown, and you can’t decide which dish to serve at the reception. It’s enough to make anyone go crazy, but surviving wedding stress is possible. Full Article
10 Essentials for Brides at Their Wedding: Tips to Keep You Looking Your Best
Written on August 13th, 2009 | 0 CommentsIt’s the day of your wedding, and the tips and advice you received from your mother, friends, and loved ones have paid off and you look and feel beautiful. Time has been spent arranging your hair just so, making up your face perfectly, and getting you ready for your big day. Many times, however, brides just consider the big picture – and often forget how uncomfortable they may be during the ceremony or reception in a hot, heavy dress with four-inch heels. It’s a bad scenario, but it happens. To keep you up, dancing, and mingling with your guests, here are a few of the most essential bride must-haves for your wedding day. With a little forethought and a carefully packed cocktail bag, you can be prepared for whatever the day has in store with these wedding tips! Full Article
Honeymoon Ideas: Favorite Destinations for Lovebirds
Written on July 28th, 2009 | 0 CommentsThe honeymoon is your time to relax and recuperate from frantic wedding preparations. And picking a place that both of you will enjoy is a must. Fortunately, the world presents countless honeymoon ideas that have something for both of you. Here are some of the more popular honeymoon destinations for couples of all types. Full Article
Party Favors Aren’t Just for Weddings
Written on July 15th, 2009 | 0 CommentsOne of the many things a bride has to consider is the favors that will adorn the tabletops at her reception. Since party favors are usually marketed to brides, however, most party planners bypass the charming addition that they make for any occasion. Affordably priced and useful, party favors help liven up a gathering, and party planners who want to add a little panache incorporate their various party favor ideas into a celebration to provide guests with a special memento. And regardless of the nature of the gathering, just remember that party favors are no longer solely meant for weddings. Here are some party favor ideas to get you thinking creatively! Full Article
Unearthing the Origins of Nuptial Bliss: Our Most Beloved Wedding Traditions
Written on July 6th, 2009 | 0 CommentsMany of the wedding traditions we still include in the modern nuptial festivities have their roots deep in history. Though many of these wedding traditions are based on superstitions or historical necessity, to this day couples still – to some degree – acknowledge them. Though the dynamics of weddings change continuously, with new wedding customs being added to the ‘canon’ all the time, wearing white, tying cans to the bumper, and carrying a bouquet all remain firmly entrenched in the collective psyche. Full Article
