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General Wedding Tips
Instead of using rice or bubbles after the ceremony have your guests shower you in rose petals. :)
Emily, Minerva, OH
Instead of rice/birdseed. I am having bubbles
Jessica, MO
Many weddings are not together because of improper wedding rehearsals. This should be addressed along with other items of the wedding.
Barbara, CA
Have backup plans in case of rain. I didn't think rain would affect an indoor wedding, but it did. I wanted to have some pictures taken outside & allowed time for that so when it rained.
Joan, CA
Another idea with the programs is to describe the meaning of some of the songs used, if there is this sentimental reason(like the song on your first date). Or just to describe any thing done. It gives a more personal feel to the reception and a lot of people don't understand the meaning behind so many traditions or your personal meaning or reason for doing it.
Tori, LA
For all you women who are marrying navy men the best colors to choose for flowers and bridemaids dresses are powder blue and silver the combo goes great and looks really well
Julianna, WA
For my best friends wedding, the 2 bridesmaids, and the the bride went for manicures and pedicures the day before the wedding, and it was nice time for us to just be together as the girls.
Jennie, SC
My Husband and I renewed our Weding vows 9 years ago at an Naval Base in Virginia...We did it all Star Trek !...all of our friends from all of the local STARFLEET clubs in the are came in costume as well as Klingon, and Ferengi friends!! It even made the local newspaper, What fun..we had it video taped with our children in their costumes also. It was an event we will always remember and now we are helping friends to plan their Star Trek anniversary and renewal of vows...
Linda, WI
Call all the providers the week before the wedding, just to remind them of your date. That way they could never forget
Lynda, MI
Don't leave out your husband-to-be. This is also a big day for him, so include him in your planning. My fiance' wants to be included in as much as possible, i think the only thing i haven't allowed him to have a say in, is the purchase of my wedding gown!!! He stated very clearly that any of his friends weddings, they were not allowed any say, and the brides decided on everything. He really wanted to feel that he was being included. I realize that a lot of the time the brides family pays for the wedding, but at least get some ideas from the groom, he'll really appreciate it in the end!!!
Sonda, MA
Please don't let your family run your wedding and drive you crazy.
Tashia, MD
Put the phone numbers you will frequently use while planning the wedding in your cell phone. This is very helpful when you are on the road and need to get in touch with someone like the florist,church, whatever!
Manya, CA
Keep it simple. The more ornate and complex things become, the more of a whirlwind it all turns out to be. Make sure you haven't put the toast right after the first dance followed by the cake cutting all in a matter of 20 mins! You need to make sure you have time to enjoy the day and all it includes. It may not be worth it if you don't even remember anything!
Erin, CO
Please make sure the parents are thought of also because sometimes the are the ones who are paying the money.
Lavonne, GA
Just as I have come to find out it is really a blessing if you have someone in the family or a friend do all of the girls hair in your wedding saves money and can be a lot of fun...
Heather, IN
Me and my future husband plans on having our best man and matron of honor reading our vows. his best man well read to me and my matron of honor will read to him. also we plan on having a little bio read about how we me and got this far. what do u think of this
It would be nice to have the opportunity to have fewer guests say around 30 or so. Our total list has about 30 people on it including "service providers"
When having the Bridal shower, request gifts that are needed for the wedding such as a guest book and pen and cake cutter.
Natosha, Eureka Springs
Just as I have come to find out it is really a blessing if you have someone in the family or a friend do all of the girls hair in your wedding saves money and can be a lot of fun...
Heather, Terre Haute
check out the Bed and Breakfast's in your area...I had no
idea that our local B&B had a reception area for 125!! Just
the right size.
Sharon, columbus
Name: Diane
City: Augusta
I have two tips. If you are on a budget, make your own veil. It is not difficult and places like Hobby Lobby and Micheals have instructions, tiaras or other hairpieces and veils of ivory or white in different lengths. It only took me 15 minutes to complete and looks beautiful!
My mom and dad were both passed so I had no one to give me away. My sisters volunteered so it will be a Ya Ya Sisterhood wedding since I have three sisters walking me down the aisle.
Name: KRISTAN
City: CROSS CITY
I DO HAIR, NAILS AND MAKE-UP. I ATTENDED COSMATOLGY SCHOOL, WHILE DECIDING THE FIELD OF WORK IN BEGINING MY CAREER IN BUSISNESS.
ON MY WEDDING DAY, THE HAIR DRESSER FORGOT TO SCHEDULE US FOR THAT DAY, AND HAD US DOWN FOR THE WEEK LATER. MY MOTHER SHOWED TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START OF MY BIG DAY... MY STEP-MOTHER, WAS A LIFE SAVER! THE WOMEN I TRAINED AND USED AS ASSISTANTS IN OUR FRIENDS WEDDINGS, JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE MY ATTENDANTS. NO HELP, WE PULLED IT OFF IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR. I DELIGATED THE BEST ONE FOR MAKE-UP, HAIR AND SO ON. MY STEP MOTHER HAS BEAUTIFUL NATURAL CURLES AND WAS DONE IN MO TIME FLAT.
SHE WAS GIVEN MANY LESSONS THAT DAY, AND CONTINUES TO TALK ABOUT IT TODAY. DOING HAIR WAS A PLUS FOR HER.
IF EVER IN A PICKLE LIKE THAT KNOW WHAT YOUR GOING TO DO FOR PLAN B IF A ISN'T INSIGHT.
ALL OF US, NINE IN ALL, WITH TWO SIX YEAR OLDS, WORE OUR HAIR UP.
HOW??? BRUSH HAIR DOWN FROM NATURAL PART, PULL THE HAIR AT THE NAPE UP THEN PIN IT UP. CURL UNDERNEITH FIRST. THEN TAKE 2' SECTIONS DOWN AT A TIME SPRAY WITH HAIR SPRAY FIRST AND CURL. KEEP ALL ATTENDANTS SITTING, WILE YOU LOOK AT THE FACE AND FRAME IT WITH CURLS THEN SPRAY AGAIN WHEN FINISHED. AS THE REST ARE DELICATELY, PLACED ON HEAD USING PINS, FABRIC FLOWERS WHATEVER WE HAD TO ACCENT OUR HAIR, BUT MATCHED OUR DRESSES AND THEME OF COLORS.
ALL NINE WOMEN HAD UP-DO'S, AND NOT ONE DO MATCHED THE OTHER. WOW! THE COMPLIMENTS WERE ROLLING.
ALMOST ANYONE CAN DO MAKE-UP, MY STEP MOTHER WAS A MARY KAY CONSULTANT, SHE USES ESTEA LAUDER TOO. WE HAD EVERY SHADE WE NEEDED, AND WORE ALL NUTURAL COLORS THAT MATCHED OUR SKIN, AND , I CALLED MY FRIEND WHO WAS A GUEST AND SHE GLADLY HELPED OUT ON THAT PROJECT.
Name: Nisha Prentice
City: Quartz Hill
A few things I would add... ibuprofen, immodium (anti-diahhreal), tums, tape
repairing adhesive (useable for hems, etc.)
Name: rowena
City: inyokern
Its also a good idea to do a test run on your hair and makeup a few weeks before your wedding so youll know if its the look you wanted or not. At least at this point if you dont like it you can change it.
Name: Annette
City: Upper Marlboro
I recently was in a wedding. I would recommend that when considering having a wedding and reception at the same site ensure that there's enough time or at least have a place for the guest to go while the tables for the reception is being set up. This cause a big problem. Guests were every where unorganized, etc.
Invitations
Name: Gregg Johnson
City: Rowlett
We used a company out of Arkansas called Harding Press. A sweet older gentleman helped us putting together our invitations and we got a great deal for it. 500 invitations cost around $320! We saved a ton and we love them.
Name: sheri
City: icard
send invitaions early because people take forever to respond, even when you have a deadline.
I got my invitations for under a hundred dollars. all i did was go to a paper warehouse bought plain invites then i took them to a printer and i spent about 80 bucks!!!!!! they look great.
One way to save money on your Wedding Invitations is to design your invitations yourself and save to a disk or CD. Check with your choosen printer to see what format or program they will need it to be saved in. By designing them yourself you know that they are exactly the way you want and you will only be paying for the printing cost
Jennifer, PA
The cheapest way of ordering your invitations is through a catalog. The company I went to did a very thorough job and were very helpful with the wording of the invitation!
Maria, NY
When asking one person in a committed relationship to be part of your wedding, do not leave his/her spouse out. It is no fun to be at a wedding where your spouse is a groomsman sitting at the head table and you are left to sit alone at a table full of people you don't know.
Wedding Songs
Name: Kellie
City: Pearl City
Valentine by Martina McBride.
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Name: Jill
City: Cleveland
Norah Jones..."The Nearness of you"
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Name: Lynn
City :Durham
"Come to me Softly" by Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. An oldie, but beautiful!
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Name: Dena Macklin
City: Leesburg,
A great song for a weddong is a country song by Tracy Bird called "Keeper of the Stars"
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Name: Roxane
City: CORPUS CHRISTI
I have to say that my favorite for the first dance would be Frank Sinatra's "Stranger's in the night." We recently went to a wedding that played it as one of their first songs and it ended up beautiful.
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Name: Barbara
City: colorado springs
the song Me and You by Kenny Chessney is a great wedding song
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Name: Allison Becton
City: Mabelton
I think one of the best song's for a father daughter dance would have to be Trace Adkins "Then they do" its a great songs that talks about a father watching his kids grow up and how he wishs all there dreams come true "Then they do".
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Name: sean
City: worcester
LONG AS I LIVE - Jaheim, is an incredible wedding song
as well as Special Day, also by Jaheim. Put them on your list.
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Name: Larissa
City: Greenwood
The Wedding Song (There is Love) by Peter, Paul, and Mary for the Unity Candle Lighting....it's an oldie but goodie!
Also, All My Life by K-Ci and JoJo is a good First Dance song
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Name: Chandra
City: Grand Prairie
The song I plan on walking down the isle on is "A Song for Yo" by Donnie Hathaway. It has also been done by several other people
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Name: Rebecca
City: Mckinney
Subject: Music
I think it would be great if you added a song from Brian Adams. I think it's called "Everything I do". Your selection of music has been really helpful to me in planning my future wedding. THANKS!
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Name: kelly
City: willoughby
all my life by kc and jojo
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Name: Becky
City: phoenix
" I Hope You Dance" by LeeAnn Womack is a perfect father/daughter dance song!
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Name: Lisa M. Pires
City: New Bedford
"CANNON" by Pachelbel makes for an amazing processional when played softly for the wedding party and then louder for the Bride's entrance. And a great recessional is "Trumpet Volantary"
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Name: Danielle
City: Jackson
Subject: Music
I think that Here and Now by Luther Vandross and Spend My Life With you by Eric Benet should be on your wedding songs list.
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Best Father Daughter Song~Then They Do~Trace Adkins
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Name: LaRhonda Curry
City: Tampa
Subject: Music
Here are more weing Faves: "Here and Now" by Luther Vandross, "For You" Kenny Latimore,"Truly" Lionel Richey,"You Give Good Love" Whitney Houston, "Let's Get Married" jagged Edge, "Im So Into You" Peabo Bryson, "The Only One for Me" Brian McKnight
Wedding Vows and Sayings:
Name: Christine
City: Charlotte
Today I marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, love.
Name: Carmen
City: Kansas City
Travis, the day I met you I knew you were special, as time passed and we grew closer I knew we had a connection like no other, When I fell in love with you I knew we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.
And now on our special day I promise to you, I will love you forever I will be here for you in everyway I promise to be your bestfriend, your parnter, your lover. Travis you are my world, my sunshine, my everything to others this ring is just made of gold bought at a store but to me it represents our lives coming together as one the union of our souls and I place it on your finger as a symbol of my love and devotion to you for eternity.
Sara, we’ve been through a lot already. The road that brought us here has had it’s share of rough & bumpy times, but we made it through together and it strengthened us. Today in front of everyone I pledge to you that:
will always be by your side and nothing will divide us
I will do my best to always listen and try to understand
I will be the kind of man you can be proud to call your husband
I will love you as if love was a blessing God created only for the two of us.
Robb, Brentwood
Love is not something that can be baught or sold,
Love knows no race, color, or hue,
Love knows no words that can be expressed or told,
Love is not something that you see or hear,
Love is something from the inside that everyone can feel whether they are far or near.
Jeannette, IN
My father in law (then to be) wrote my entire wedding. Readings, vows, blessings; everything.
A small section:
Keith and Meagan, GOD created Man and Woman to be together and to be a helpmate for each other. GOD in his wisdom has determined that it was not a good thing for Man to be alone so the woman was created from the rib of the Man. By doing this, Man and Woman are literally a part of each other. This is meant to be an equal union in the sight of GOD. Each of you providing the things necessary to be fulfilling to the other.
With these things in mind I want to ask each of you, are you ready to begin your life as one?
Keith, are you willing to give yourself to Meagan as a helpmate, to be there for her when she needs someone to talk to and most of all when she needs someone to listen to her? To be her Friend and Lover and to do your best to fulfill her needs so she feels complete as a Woman and a Mother of your children?
Megan, TX
I will always be by your side and nothing will divide us
I will do my best to always listen and try to understand
I will be the kind of man you can be proud to call your husband
I will love you as if love was a blessing God created only for the two of us.
Photography
Name: Paula
City: Mora
Disposable cameras on the tables at the reception are a waste of money. They cost the same to develop and print as a regular roll of film and VERY few of the photos are good enough to keep! The flash range is very short so most of the photos are underexposed and often the children are the ones who take the pictures. It is better to hire a free lance photographer or ask a friend who is "into photography" to take candids at the reception. That way you will actually get photos worth the money spent on developing!
Thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, check your guy (or gal) out!!!! Do not do what I did and get an amateur who charges you and refuses to refund your money when you find out he is NOT a professional!!! Luckily I found out in time to get a good photographer, but my first photographer still refuses to refund what I paid him! Ask how many weddings he, personally, has photographed, and demand to see his work. If he doesn't have it available for you, be wary, and don't sign or pay anything! I was so ready to get started on planning that I trusted this person (it's my nature) and now I am out money that could have paid for a larger cake, bouquet, anything. Remember, it is your day, and you deserve the best... so if you have to be harsh to make sure you are getting the best deal, everyone will understand
Aunnie, TX
Dress
Name: Nicole
City: Picabo
My best advice for choosing a dress, is let your mom be involved! My mom chose my dress and at first, it looked a little too frilly on the hanger, but then when I put it on, it was perfect. Just remember, your mom sees from a different perspective and that gives her the competive edge, if you want to call it that!
Name: NANCY
City: CHICAGO
VICTORIA'S SECRET HAS THE MOST SEXIEST UNDER GARNMENTS TO WEAR UNDER YOUR WEDDING DRESS, THE NIGHT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY.
My mom made my gown, and my bridesmaids gowns! It saved us so much money, and the dresses are beautiful!
Lisa, CA
Allow your ladies to choose a dress that compliments their body type and personality. This way they will feel more confident and comfortable at the wedding. It will show on their faces and offer a much more beautiful and pleasant looking wedding party. Allowing those around you to show their beauty, only enhances the beauty of the bride.
Tammy, NC
Flowers
Name: Larissa
City: Greenwood
Now-a-days, silk flower arrangements are quite beautiful and reasonably priced. The colors and flowers themselves won't fade during the day's events. As a bonus, everyone can keep their bouquet without having to dry it or try desperately to keep it fresh.
Name: Sabrina Ortiz
City: Bronx
Too kill two birds with one stone (for the money conscious) Combine the center pieces with the favors. A good example is florelle.com. For about the same price of a floral centerpiece (about $40 each) you can get a favor for each person at the table and have a beautiful centerpiece
Name: jan murphy
City: northport
if you are going to use real flowers for the bouquet for the bride,then make a throw away bouquet out of silk flowers it cheaper and the bride can keep her own bouquet.and i have an idea for a throw away bouquet .you can use about 6 to 8 different colors of roses .put the same color of roses in each small bouq.like take 3 or 4 red and wrap them with floral tape an set aside take 3 or 4 yellow roses and wrap with floral tape .now do this until you get all of the same colors wrapped.when you get them all done make a matching bow to put on each one.now when the bride gets ready to throw her bouquet it will spread apart and there will be more for them to catch.i love this idea it has been a real hit. i am a florist also .and i tell all my customers about the fall apart throw away bouquet.i hope you like and use my idea. thank you.
jan murphy
I am a florist and one thing that most brides don't realize is that the choice of flowers is very important. A lot of brides want white roses for their bouquet and for boutineers and corsages. White roses are very delicate and the tips turn brown very easily. This can spoil the appearance of the bouquet. We often recommend white freesia, white alstro, and white dendrobian orchids which last a long time and stay looking beautiful and elegant.
Kathleen, OR
My mom and I went shopping and found a book on wedding floral. It shows how to make bridal boquets, how to make alter flowers, veils, etc. This is the best way to keep your wedding very personalized as well as a cost saver.
Liz, OH
Our florist prepare a beautifully decorated "box" that became the reception head table centerpiece when the bridal bouquet (large and cascading) was added to it. It was a great way to save money and it was gorgeous. A smaller tussy mussie was used for the toss
Cheri, CO
These days all the silk and artificial flowers in the graft stores look so real that it is a good idea to use them for all the wedding flowers and to decorate with.i am doing my daughters wedding myself .i plan to use artifical flowers and the greenery .i am making all the coursages an bouts out of the fake flowers so that everyone that is in the wedding will get to keep forever and not have to keep them in the freezer.i am also going to use silk flowers on the wedding cake to.that way nothing gets on the cake .i and i have done alot of bridesmaid bouquets out of calla lilys.i put about 4 long calla lilys togeather with some type of fern (tree,aspers,etc...)and i put misty blue for a little color or million star or gyp.and i wrap them with green floral tape .the maid of honer gets the one with the most flowers and i try to make it just a little diffirent from the others .and i make a big bow to put on them all ,but the maid of honers bow is not like the others .or you can use tulle on them.it makes a pretty bow also.if i didnt spell something right it will be close enough for you to know what it is .thank you and i hope you can use some of this to ...thanks jan Murphy
Name: Chris Galloway
City: Elwood
I am a very crafty person, and to do the flowers for my wedding i am going to Sam's Club and getting a bunch of roses(let them know how many you want in advance), babys breath, and greens. By doing it this way the roses only cost you about 50 cents a piece, usually making it at least half the cost of a florist. I would suggest only doing this if you like to be crafty though because it takes a lot of work.
The Reception
The best thing about my wedding was that it was outside and all the flowers were in bloom. At the reception we danced to a song, 'Forever" and me and my husband sang to each other and all the children were around us blowing bubbles. When me and my husband looked up everyone was swaying side to side to the beat of the music, it was so magical and there were about 275 in attendance. We are very blessed, and we are still madly in love.
Debra, AL
Never do your cake yourself and have someone else ice it for you , that is a disaster.
Jacqueline, CA
My fiance and I are getting married in September 2003 and we have decided to purchase a small wedding cake, 2 layers only. We are going to save the top layer for our first anniversary and eat the bottom layer at the wedding, along with our head table. This will save money. We will have bakery made sheet cakes for the wedding guests, that will be pre-cut in the kitchen to save time.
Lori, PA
Reception halls, if you don't have a lot of money to spend and you want to rent a nice reception hall. Try renting from the county or city of your town like a community center. some towns and cities have some very nice community centers. Call the county or city where you like. You will be very surprise what you will find
Connie, FL
Favors
When we were planning our wedding I wanted a favor that was unique and no else really did. So I went to Wal-Mart and bought blank cds and used my cd burner at home to make cds of the music that was played throughout the day. It worked really weel because then I went back to wal-mart and bought colored card stock paper and used a copy machine, and then made the covers to all the cds. I was a little time consuming, but it payed on the end because everyone loved them.
I wrote a poem. It was on beautiful on rose like print. Rolled it and then put toilet paper roll up-write. Put the poem in it. Then wrapped around the purple ribbon in a bow. It had our names on one side and date on the other.It's beautiful poem. Next year I'm going to publish them. I'll have a website designed just for this wedding occasion and more.
Nina, FL
We are going to use small fish bowls at the reception as center pieces with of course fish in them, each quest can take one home.
Angela, TN
I have something for the wedding quotes that can be used on favors, or even napkins:
"Today is not the beginning of what's to come...
It's a new beginning to what already is."
Larissa, OH
Personalized magnets are a great favor idea. My fiance and I had quite a few made, and we're going to be giving them to the out-of-town guests (along with several other hand-selected gifts put together in a basket).
Liz, OH
We are giving our guests a music CD which we designed with all the songs played at our wedding ie: first dance, processional, special songs etc. We also designed the CD inserts with out childhood pictures on the front and song list on the back.
Ceremony
Keep it simple and it will be even more beautiul than you ever imagined!
Della, WV
To make your wedding ceremony unique and colorful, you have the Maid of Honor's bouquet of flowers a few different colors. Then you have every brides maid have a bouquet of one of the colors.
Cindi, MA
My suggestion is when you are planning your wedding make sure, it is what you and your husband wants. We both wanted a huge wedding and we had exactly that. We had 17 bridesmaids and 5 matron of honors and 4 maids of honors and other people in the wedding. When we were taking photos, the photographer told us to come in closer and it was so many people he said ok let's take a break, it is so many people out here did any of you move? Everyone bust into pure laughter. Most of all it was what we wanted and not what our parents, relatives or friends want. remember you are now one and no one know either one of you better than yourself or spouse. Mom does not know everything once you say "I DO". God Bless
Debra, AL
FOR A MORE ELEGANT WEDDING TRY HAVING A CANDLE LIT CEREMONY
AnnMarie, MD
We are going to have the bride and groom face the audience instead of having their back to them. The preacher will have his back to the audience. THe bride and groom will be on the stage.
Angela, TN
Budget
The only thing that I can say is when you see the adds for the sale... GO! GO! GO!
I found my dream dress for $99.00 it was not "in season" however it had a classic design that fit into what I imagined my dream wedding dress would look like! And the staff was great!
Kristin, LA
Don't budget your wedding for more than what you can pay off in six months. You don't want to spend the first five years of your wedding paying off the debt.
Kristen, NE
Research and see what talent is in the family and use it.
My aunt is making the dresses and another aunt will be doing the wedding cake( she has been doing it for years for other folks) beautiful cakes.
Sheena, MD
An informal wedding can reduce the cost substantially. My son got married at the beach at a restaurant. They supplied the tent area, archway, and we only had to pay for the food and drinks. All other costs are lower also,gown,flowers,etc.
John, FL
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