Wedding Planning Ideas & Advice
Setting Up Your Unity Candle:
Before the ceremony
begins, place the unity candle on a small table near the
altar. To prepare for the ceremony, it
is a good idea to light the wicks for a
moment. This will make lighting them
during the ceremony much easier.
Should you tip any of
your wedding vendors?
The general response in most cases
is no -- tipping is not required. Unless a wedding vendor
goes "above and beyond" what
was expected of them, then there is no need to tip unless you wish to.
An example where tipping would be
appropriate would be if the reception time ran
longer and your DJ or band played
longer than they were contracted for. You may also have to pay over-time. Caterers usually include a tip or gratuity in their fees.
In this case it is expected and common.
Wedding Dress
Preservation:
If you want to keep your dress looking like
new, the first step is to clean it well. Here's how:
- Have your
dress dry-cleaned a few days after the wedding. The sooner you do so, the
easier it will be to remove stains.
- Even if you
don't see any stains, have your dress cleaned. Body oils, clear sodas, and
white icing might not leave a trace at first, but stains may develop over
time.
Here are some links to great candle
based "Center Piece" ideas. Go to, http://wedcraft.com/3ped.html , and http://www.yourweddingcompany.com/index.php/action/showProject/projectId/25/categoryId/108/#
, and , http://www.rosemarycompany.com/15208.html
, and also, YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE, http://www.ablazecandles.com/store/pid/173#
Candles Are Inn!:
More brides are using large amounts of various heights and
sizes of candles to light their "indoor ceremony" or "late
outdoor ceremony". Whether their ceremony be indoors
or late outdoors at a residence, church, or other facility, brides
are going with the romantic-spiritual, glow of candle lighting. Try
buying a candles of various heights and widths, and placing them closely
together if necesarry in glass tubes or vases, or even wine
glasses to hold them. Some may not need any holder if they are wide
enough to stand on their own. Consider it a "monestary look"
Here's an example http://karmamoffett.com/tibetan_bell_exp.html
Try creating such a display on at least three differant tables or alters
covered with a white table cloth in front of the room where your ceremony will
take place. It would be a good idea to include candles on the sides of
the isle as well either on the floor, or on the pews of the church. This
setting will give your wedding ceremony a whole new romantic, and spiritual
glow that will soothe and warm the hearts of your guests. NOTE: Be
sure to notify your professional wedding photographer, and/or wedding
videographer of the lighting situation. They must be prepared for the possible
low lighting situation at hand. Most professional
photographers/videographers do not use flash or extra lighting during a
wedding ceremony. There must be enough natural lighting (available
lighting) to suffice. Be sure to check with the church coordinator
for regulations if you are getting married in a church. Some
churches are very strict on candle usage due to the wax
spill possibility on their floors. Always respect the rules of your
chosen facility.
Relax
-- Get a Massage!
Think about treating yourself to a
massage the day before or the morning of your
wedding. It will really help you to
reduce stress, relax, and look even more
radiant on your wedding day!
Good
Idea - Bring Snacks!
If you are taking pictures before the
ceremony, bring along some snacks like
grapes, cheese and crackers (nothing
that could stain!) and bottled water.
Posing for pictures can be tiresome
and a snack can really help to "pick you up"
before the ceremony.
How
Many Ushers Do You Need?
The rule of thumb is that there should
be one usher for every 50 guests. The
average wedding party for a formal or
semi-formal wedding is four to six
bridesmaids and ushers. Also, keep in
mind that you don't need as many
bridesmaids as ushers.
TIPS FOR LOOKING SLIM IN YOUR WEDDING DRESS:
- Choose a dress with a fitted
bodice and a full, flowing skirt.
- Choose a dress with a drop
waistline (drops to a v-shape in the front). This will make your waist
look smaller.
- As for the neckline choose a
v-shaped neckline or one that is off the shoulders. This makes you look
taller and creates a slimmer look. Stay away from a high neckline, as it
will draw attention and accentuate the chest.
- Choose a fitted or tapered
sleeve, usually a full or three quarter length sleeve is the best. Avoid
sleeveless and those big, puffy sleeves.
- Make sure your dress fits
properly. When you go for your fittings, be sure that the bodice fits
snuggly but not too tight. An improperly fitted gown can add
"pounds" to any size bride. Be sure you can sit and move your
arms comfortably.
- Select "figure
trimming" undergarments. Corsets have actually made a big comeback.
They are now comfortable, sexy and can trim quite a few inches off your
waistline.
- Keep good posture. Stand up straight. Tuck your
stomach in and keep your shoulders back.
- Choose a dress that
has a waistline that falls directly under the chest (aka and "Empire
waist) , and from that point has a fairly straight skirt to the
floor. Links to examples are as follows: http://www.bbngg.com/articles/choosinggown.html
, link to example of "Empire waist gown" see
below:
- Empire Waist: http://www.be-with-you.com/Wedding%20Tips/dress%20silhouette/empire3.gif if
this link is not clickable, simply copy and past the url into your
browser, and click "Go". CHECK OUT THIS
BEAUTIFUL "African Style" wedding dress I found on the web
(See below)
- http://www.tk-designs.com/sankofa/pages/tk535ftbk.htm Again
if the link is not clickable, simply copy and past it into your
browser. Here's a link to a "Midieval Style Gown" http://www.leatherworks.com/images2000/wedding_dress.jpg
- You will
absolutely LOVE browsing this site, and you can actually order their
styles online. Go to, http://www.fairyfashion.com/
Charish A. Hoover - FresnoWeddings.Net https://www.fresnoweddings.net/