Florida Weddings & Wedding Planning Advice

Candle Centerpiece Ideas
By Bridget Mora

Who says that a centerpiece has to be all about the flowers? If you are looking to create a romantic mood while also saving money, candles will make the perfect centerpieces for your wedding. There are numerous creative ways to design a unique and beautiful table display around candles; for inspiration, check out these ideas…

Sometimes simple is best. Tall, elegant tapers can be used to create beautiful centerpieces for almost any style of wedding. They work particularly well for more formal events, as they have a sophisticated effect that will enhance any dressy wedding, day or night. Of course, sometimes simple can end up being too plain, so the key is to find details that will make your tapers feel special.

Long rectangular tables are a big trend for weddings right now, and they really lend themselves to using tall tapered candles in lieu of floral centerpieces. Look for interesting candleholders, such as clear square ones, or etched glass bases. A terrific look is to wrap big faux pearls on a silver wire around the stem of a simple glass candlestick; it makes a nice complement to the style of the bride if she is wearing handmade pearl wedding jewelry. Make the display more visually appealing by selecting candleholders in different heights. If your table linens and china will be white, choose candles in a contrasting color, such as a pale blue or peach.

You can also create candle-based centerpieces based on your wedding theme. For instance, let’s say that you are planning a beach wedding. The bride plans to wear an informal gown with wedding jewelry that is handmade with keshi pearls. You can echo this laid back beach style in your table displays. Place a large ivory pillar candle in the center of each table on a bed of sand. Surround the candle with seashells, starfish, and branches painted to mimic red coral. The effect will be perfect for a seaside reception, and the price will be quite affordable.

Another wonderful idea is to use candles in hurricane lanterns as your centerpieces. They will add a warm and cozy glow to your reception, and they are also a great choice for an outdoor wedding, as the flame will be protected from the wind. To add a bit of color, you can create a wreath to fit the base of the hurricane lantern.

I once attended a lovely winter wedding where the bride had a wreath of terracotta roses encircling each hurricane. You can choose accents that are appropriate for any season. For a winter wedding, think about trimming out your lantern with evergreen boughs with a few red roses. Or wrap some red and green holly around the hurricane lanterns for a great holiday design. The possibilities are endless.

Floating candles also make stunning centerpieces. Choose a low bowl with a wide mouth, or perhaps a fancy footed bowl for more height. Floating candles come in any color that you could ever want. You can also find them crafted into beautiful shapes, such as roses. It would look very pretty to alternate bowls of floating candles with bowls of floating gardenias.

There are countless other ways to use candles as your centerpieces. From masses of low votives to ornate candelabras, there is a design that will suit any style of wedding. The flickering candlelight will add romance and ambiance to your wedding reception.

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget’s experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Handmade wedding jewelry will be a beautiful addition to your wedding gown.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Mora
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10 Ideas for Saving Some Money on Your Wedding Invitations by Sara Haese

When it comes to your wedding invitations, you probably know about how much of your wedding budget you have allowed for them. What if you could save some money without sacrificing style and quality?

Efforts to spend less on your wedding invitations do not have to be huge to be cost effective. In fact, sometimes just planning ahead can save you both dollars and stress.

Of course, the obvious step would be to trim down your guest list resulting in fewer invitations ordered and mailed. But that is not always practical when you have lots of family and friends with whom to celebrate your special day.

There are also many other suggestions for easing your wedding invitation budget:

• Shop around to find that perfect style that fits your budget. The Internet provides an abundance of wedding invitation printers. It is so convenient to shop from your computer when it fits YOUR schedule.
• Order early to prevent paying more for faster shipping methods. Having plenty of time to assemble and address your invitations will also eliminate last-minute pressure.
• Be sure to order some extra invitations to allow for last-minute guests and to save a few as keepsakes. It’s definitely cheaper to order more initially than to place an order later for only a few more. Typically, the more invitations you order, the lower the per-piece cost.
• Select a simple wedding invitation style such as a single-panel card which tends to cost less, especially when ordered in quantity.
• Consider a seal and send wedding invitation. This economical all-in-one design folds up and seals into its own self-mailing piece. Without the double mailing envelopes, this style tends to cost less per invitation and eliminates the extra cost of response cards with return envelopes. Instead, a response postcard is attached as part of the invitation. It is easily removed and mailed back by your guests. Another benefit to this style is the postage savings since your guests are mailing back a postcard.
• Buy your thank you cards at the same time you order your wedding invitations to save on shipping costs. Most often you will find thank you cards are available to match your invitation style.
• Choose black ink which is normally included in the invitation price. There is an additional per-item-ordered cost for colored inks. This means a separate ink charge for the invitations, response cards, reception cards, return address printing, etc., which can add up.
• Pass on the option of having a colored lining on your inner envelopes which is an additional cost. It can be a nice touch but most guests will be paying more attention to the invitation itself.
• Include your reception information right on your invitation to eliminate a separate reception card (having less weight in the envelope might even save you from affixing extra postage). If space allows, your dinner and reception details can be added on as extra lines aligned with the rest of your verse printing. Some invitation styles allow the option of a corner copy – 3-4 lines that appear in the bottom left or right corner usually in a smaller sized font. There may be a small extra charge for these lines. Corner copy is not recommended for narrow or tea length styles.
• Be sure the size and shape of your wedding invitation will only need a regular first class stamp. Sometimes a note indicating that extra postage will be required is posted online for those unique designs. Another suggestion is to purchase a sample so you can check with the Post Office if you are unsure. Keep in mind the envelopes and any extra enclosures will add to the final mailing weight possibly increasing the required postage.

I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful if you are looking for ways to save a little money on your wedding invitations since every little bit helps. Everyone has their own idea of how their invitations will look and only you know what you are willing to compromise on in fulfilling your dream. Just remember that your invitations will provide your guests with their first glance of your wedding.

Sara Haese is the owner of www.PrintedCreationsWeddingStore.com where you’ll find a great online selection of traditional and modern wedding invitations. Visitors can also sign up to receive her FREE Wedding Invitation Guide.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/10-Ideas-for-Saving-Some-Money-on-Your-Wedding-Invitations/179678

Information for the Bride

You’re in the last month before the wedding. What seemed fairly simple in the beginning has now morphed into what looks like an insurrmountable, out-of-control list of things to do. You thought you were organized and now it seems there are a million details still to be conquered, accomplished, put in order. (Emphasis here is on the word “seems.” Remember this.) From your point of view it may seem that:

• No one is helping
• No one understands
• There’s too much to do
• It costs too much
• There’s not enough time
• And: Where is HE and why isn’t he helping more?

This may move into:

• Maybe this is a mistake
• Maybe I should call the whole thing off
• Maybe I just thought I loved him

Information For the Groom

Things were going pretty well. You nodded your approval at which invitations she picked out, made a list of friends and family you wanted to invite and even addressed a few.You went with her to choose the venue, select a minister, pick a D.J. or live muisic, taste cake and look at flowers. You were fitted for the tux and shoes and you’ve planned the honeymoon. Now you just need to know when and where to show up. In the meantime you can sit back, watch the game and leave the details to the women.

You begin to notice, however, that your beautiful bride-to-be is getting bossier and more short-tempered every day. She doesn’t say much but her mood seems to be getting darker and she looks at you like you’re from another planet. And you begin to wonder:

What’s the problem here?

• Is this who she really is?
• Is this what it will be like after we’re married?
• This thing is getting way out of hand.

And this begins to deteriorate into:

• This is not what I bargained for.
• Maybe I’m not ready to get married.
• Maybe she’s not the right one for me.

If it gets to this STOP, LOOK, LISTEN!

This is a time of tremendous stress for each of you. Your whole life is about to change and somewhere inside you, regardless of how much you love each other and how long you’ve been together, an alarm goes off. Change of this magnitude often creates fear and fear causes all kinds of disruption. Every tiny detail is magnified. Emotions are running like a raging river and cannot (seemingly) be contained.

So what do you do?

If you’ve been together for a number of years, you know how the other functions, and you know you love them and have made a commitment to become partners in every sense of the word. When you had a clear mind, you knew this is what you wanted. If this is not the case, then take a serious look about what you’re doing so there is not an impasse on wedding day when one of you chooses not to show up.

You know you want to continue and so:

Bride - talk to the love of your life. Tell him how you feel. Make it clear what you need him to do. He is not unwilling (generally). He just doesn’t know how to help and thinks the best thing to do is just stay out of the way. Tell him you love him and need him. Tell him what you want and need. He doesn’t intuit this. You have to tell him.

Groom - listen to her without judgment and without barking orders. Ask her how you can help. Ask her for specific instructions on how she wants it done and what the deadline is. If you do this, you may find that she relaxes and realizes that, actually, there isn’t that much for you do to do. The most important thing for you to do is

• Stay calm
• Reassure her that you love her more than anything and that
• all you want is to be married to her.

To Both of You

If every tiny detail isn’t perfect, your wedding will still be wonderful because it’s about how much you love each other and not about the tiny details.

It’s about you. Your guests will notice the love, not the color of the napkins. The guests will notice the radiance and be pleased that the flowers are nice and the music good.

Your guests will notice the look in your eyes when you see each other and really won’t care if the bridesmaids didn’t have matching shoes or perfect hairdos.

Take some time to be with each other. Just the two of you. DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING OR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE DURING THIS TIME. Talk about anything else. Talk about how much you love each other and how special the other is. As they say in sports, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” Soon it will all be over and you can settle into building a wonderful marriage.

We all know that brides spend hours, days, and weeks searching for the perfect wedding gown, so it should come as no surprise that what she wears underneath the gown attracts just as much of her attention. If there is a special time to shed white plain jane panties and bras and slip into something sheer, sexy, and magnificent, it has got to be your wedding night. Hey, it only happens once in a marriage! Make it count! So you should be sure to put just as much effort into what your wear under your dress as you do choosing your dress. You won’t regret it, and neither will your future mate.

Thankfully, most of the bustiers and corsets that are designed to be worn underneath a wedding dress are sexy in themselves. They provide the lift and support you will need to look, and feel, your absolute best. And you should, because it is your day. After the day is over, you can go slip out of your dress and be ready for your night, without having to take time to slip into something else.

You can start looking for your bridal lingerie only after you have selected your dress. It must be compatible with your gown. Nothing should poke or peak out from underneath your dress, that’s for you and your future husband’s eyes only! So that’s just one more reason to be on top of things. When you start looking, you will want to go to specialty lingerie shops, where the selection is wider and of a higher quality than typical department stores. The people who work at these shops will be able to better help you as well, since they are experts in fitting lingerie and working with gowns.

If you have chosen a wedding gown that is strapless or one that sets off of your shoulders, you cannot wear a strapless bra. Luckily for you, this is exactly the situation for which the bustier was designed. Bustiers are sort of like strapless bras that are attached to a fabric that wraps around your torso. If your dress is completely backless, you cannot use a bustier, but must choose a different alternative. If you are a C cup or less, look into the adhesive Nu Bra, which looks real and provides ample support. If you are bustier than a C cup, you will have to use a strapless bra that connects around your waist.

When choosing your bridal panties, choose a fabric that is comfortable to you. Some brides opt to knock panties and bra out with one punch by choosing a one piece lingerie shaper. Doing so will also shape your stomach, making you look svelte.

The last thing that you need to choose for your wedding lingerie is your hosiery. If you decide to do full hose, make sure that it fits well and does not cause any discomfort or bulging. The best thing to wear, though, and the most fun, is stockings with a garter. Whatever hosiery you decide on, make sure that the fabric is premium quality so that it doesn’t tear or snag. It’s best to buy an extra set, just in case.

It is no suprise that preparing for a wedding is one of a woman’s most stressful times in life. Often she has to try to please everyone from family to friends even though it’s not their wedding. Expectations and emotions can run high during such a time. Friends suddenly want to be your best friend, parents want to be recognized and honored, siblings want a special place in the ceremony, and disagreements can abound as to who to invite or not to invite.

Truly the devil can get in the details concerning how, what, where and with whom you will celebrate your wedding. The key is to remember it is ultimately your wedding. It amazes me how many people, be it family or friends, complain when your wedding is not done their way. Of course those who complain the most usually financially contribute the least.

Here are some fast hard-hitting secrets to secure your sanity and keep your fiancee around while preparing for your wedding.

1. Gauge to what extent your fiancee wants to be involved.

Often guys could not care less how you do the wedding ceremony. After all the guy wants to marry the girl, not all of the people coming to the wedding. Most guys would happily marry the woman of their dreams anywhere. It’s usually the woman who is all idealized about what her big day should be. The man can typically see beyond this and isn’t overly mesmerized with the process since he knows the two of you very likely will be paying for the elaborate ceremony long after the wedding is over.

If your man is interested in the details and wants to get involved, so be it. Happily involve him. Perhaps there are some things he cares about more passionately than others. Maybe the songs the dj will play or the color tuxedo he and the guys will wear will interest him. Things that may not be overly interesting to him could be the party favors, decorations and the order of ceremony.

Know every guy is different so get a feel early on for his level of interest and to what extent he wants to be involved. Don’t try to lure him into your emotional frenzy just because you are all into the elaborate details. Keep it fun. Avoid pressuring him to make decisions about or participate in things he never signed up for.

2. Minimize complaining to your man daily about the details of the wedding preparations.

Remember it wasn’t complaining that enabled you to win his heart to begin with. Therefore it won’t be complaining that keeps his heart fond of you after he has said “I do.”

Stay happy and positive. Keep your level of joy and pleasure strong in your relationship. The last thing you want to do is drive him crazy before the wedding so he goes into it with mixed emotions. If you’re going to have a meltdown, do it privately with a good friend or your mother. Spare your man the emotional roller coaster ride.

If you are one of those rare and lucky women who have an extra sensitive soul who genuinely understands you and wants to hear everything, than take the liberty to confide in him. However avoid dumping on him or biting at him in irritation because of your preparation woes.

3. Be thankful for the guy you are marrying more than fixating on how you are marrying him.

Keep things in perspective, you are marrying a man not a ceremony to excel your ego and promote yourself. Don’t get diverted from what is going on here. Let your focus be your relationship, heartfelt interaction and sustaining a love that lasts a lifetime. Don’t get so business like and task oriented that you begin treating your future spouse like a co-worker from the office.

4. Don’t compare your wedding to that of your friends.

The quickest way to stress yourself out, drive yourself beyond your threshold of pain and have a breakdown is to try to be like somebody else. Just because a close friend did her wedding one way and spent a certain sum of money does not mean you have to or should.

Unfortunately women tend to compare notes about how a wedding ceremony should be conducted, where it should be held and how elaborate the celebration should be. (Oh come on ladies you certainly compare engagements rings.) The best advice I can give you is to refrain from comparing notes and do it your way according to your desire and budget.

5. Forget tradition.

Start your own tradition. Don’t feel obligated to conform to family, church or cultural traditions. Be yourself. Be a history maker. Have fun and celebrate in a way most suitable for you. If you are adventurous, break the mold and do something memorable. If you prefer elegance and class, than don’t be pressured by your friends to do things you don’t deem appropriate.

6. Stay within your designated budget.

A sure sign of coming marital woes is a spendthrift who exceeds her budget for a wedding. Don’t borrow from your future to pay for your todays. It doesn’t work. You are essentially only robbing yourselves of your future. Because after the wedding it is the two of you who must pay all the bills, juggle all of the credit card interest payments and stress about your debts incurred.

The quickest way you can gain your fiance’s trust and make him feel confident about you is to honor him when budgeting a wedding. Wedding preparations however tend to be a time when women lose it and go wild. The emotional exuberance seems to take over when one is to be the center of attention and everyone is going to be there.

Just remember if after the wedding you never see your new groom because he is working two jobs to pay for “your wedding,” don’t be angry at him.

Every little girl dreams of her big wedding day but few save up financially for it. Why is that? Perhaps therein lies the true psyche of a woman, that daddy or hubby will pay for me, shower me with gifts, me, me, me.

Beware of this mentality.

It’s not only the princesses today who are becoming runaway brides. Many men are catching on too and abandoning the thought of marriage altogether because of the drama they have seen and experienced pertaining to wedding preparations.

Don’t get me wrong. I wholeheartedly believe in the institution of marriage. What I don’t however believe in is the excessive merchandising of matrimony and the egofest it has become for some bridezillas. In the old days they did things differently. Women didn’t expect big rocks and men didn’t give them to women until after they were married and had proven themselves over many years. They were much more modest, simple and sincere. I think we would benefit returning to those days and ridding ourselves of the excesses that so often put us in debt.

Ladies, do yourself a favor and pace yourself. Harness your emotions. Think realistically and long-term when you budget your wedding. Most importantly remember that when it is all over it is just the two of you.

7. Say thank-you to all those who help you with your wedding.

Whether you deem your wedding a “success” or not (now that’s an interesting topic worthy of discussion….what makes a wedding a “success”), be quick to thank everyone for their time, gifts and contributions to make it happen.

If one thing is for sure, planning a wedding and all the events that precede it (showers and the rehearsal dinner) is not easy. If you are fortunate enough to have some sweet family and friends to help you a bit with it all, consider yourself blessed and be thankful. However never expect it.

Live and let live when they get involved, which is to say don’t put unrealistic expectations on these people to go out of their way for “your big day.” Be thankful for whatever they do and however they do it. Remember they are volunteering and doing this from the kindness of their hearts, not because they have to.

Never compare gifts given be it past or present. Happily and thankfully receive whatever is given you. Don’t put dollar amounts on people as to what you expect is customary to give.

Just because you chose to have a wedding that cost a certain dollar amount a plate does not mean that your guests will be thinking in that manner when they decide what to give you as a gift. If they do, great for you. If they don’t, you shouldn’t get disappointed.

Nowadays with the disintegration of the family, women are often having to prepare their own weddings as mothers are becoming less involved. Having a wedding is quite similar to having a baby for a woman as she very much must take ownership of it. Unlike a baby however a wedding day will come and go.

Therefore give your best when preparing, but when it is all said and done go with the flow.

Blessings, wishes for dream fulfillment and a love that lasts a lifetime.

Getting married is truly one of the momentous moments in your life unless you are Liz Taylor! Honeymooning in Maine should be the icing on your momentous occasion.

Honeymooning In the State of Maine

Maine’s slogan is “Vacationland”, and once you have been there you’ll see why. This beautiful New England state offers miles of picturesque shoreline, quaint fishing towns and gorgeous lighthouses. Beautiful in the summer when the beaches are warm and inviting, or in the fall when the trees change color, honeymooning in Maine can be a romantic and unique way to usher in your new life.

Choosing Maine for your honeymoon can be a great alternative to the usual tropical honeymoon spots. If you prefer hiking to sunbathing, and fresh air, clean water and lobster to tropical drinks, Maine is a great choice for your romantic trip. Bar Harbor, Maine, is one town that’s known for its inviting atmosphere and great accommodations. Bar Harbor is an island, and it’s located in “Downeast” Maine, surrounded by the breathtaking views of Acadia National Park. This township is 45 square miles large, giving you plenty of room to explore the beauty of Maine while not feeling overly crowded (the population of Bar Harbor is only 4500!). Easily reachable by car, Bar Harbor is isolated enough to feel like a relaxing spot, but close enough to cities such as Bangor (50 miles away) that flying into the area is easy.

One Bar Harbor destination that’s perfect for honeymooning is Clefstone Manor. Built in 1884 and located on “Millionaire’s Row”, this mansion is one of only a few that survived a devastating fire that took place in 1947. The honeymoon packages here include amenities such as a welcome gift basket and complimentary bottle of champagne, with a three night minimum stay.

Another spot in Bar Harbor that’s perfect for honeymooning is the Bass Cottage Inn. Built in 1885 during the Golden Age of Bar Harbor, this inn offers 10 guest suites complete with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. The “Honeymoon Sweet” package offers fresh flowers, complimentary champagne, king size beds and even a muffin basket packed with delicious baked goods to enjoy before breakfast, with a three night stay minimum (prices vary according to season).

If you’d prefer something a little different for your first trip as man and wife, honeymooning in Maine is a great choice. Explore the beauty of New England’s coastline, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, and hike the mountains of Acadia National Park – all while staying in a town known for its hospitality and charm.

From the most postal bridal meltdowns to raucous bachelor parties and eye misting “I Do’s,” there’s a lot to love about the wedding film genre. Whether providing entertainment at your rehearsal dinner or spicing up your bridesmaid getaway, Brides.com has ranked the top ten wedding movies for your viewing enjoyment (sorry, popcorn not included).

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 12, 2006 — From the most postal bridal meltdowns to raucous bachelor parties and eye misting “I Do’s,” there’s a lot to love about the wedding film genre. Whether providing entertainment at your rehearsal dinner or spicing up your bridesmaid getaway, Brides.com has ranked the top ten wedding movies for your viewing enjoyment (sorry, popcorn not included).

1) “It Had to Be You.” (1947) The benefit of multiple trips down the altar? Multiple wedding dresses, of course! Despite a chronic case of cold feet, Ginger Roger’s gorgeous wedding gowns are a sight to behold throughout this classic “Runaway Bride” tale — but it is her incredible rock of a wedding ring that might leave you temporarily blinded. In fact, producer Don Hartman attempted to rent the Hope Diamond for Rogers to wear in this film but was unsuccessful. If this movie bride’s sparkler has you seeing stars, design your own gorgeous stone and setting when you check out Brides.com Build-A-Ring.

2) “Wedding Singer.” (1998) Is there such a thing as “church tongue”? These and other important wedding etiquette debacles are tackled in this quirky wedding comedy. A hilarious 80’s throwback, “Wedding Singer” offers excellent cameos of the worst bridesmaids’ dresses ever made, and possibly the best-ever “I Do” kiss between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. After watching this period film, you’ll be so glad the veil replaced the once-hot wedding headband and that the days of “big hair” are long over. Brides.com offers the latest trends in veils, headpieces and hairstyles so you can find a timeless, classic look for your wedding day.

3) “That Old Feeling.” (1997) For any bride who’s worried her divorced parents might spoil the wedding, this riotous film of feuding folks will run deep. For more advice on how to deal with divorced parents or other in-law issues, check out Brides.com’s Friends, Family and Guests Q&A.

4) “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” (2002) Covering multi-ethnic weddings and interfaith weddings with outrageous aplomb, this gut-busting Greek movie will have your Episcopalian/Lutheran schism feeling oh-so-minor. On a serious note, it’s a lovely look at the lighter side of love. If incorporating traditions important to your and your fiancé’s heritage or faith is proving harder than you thought, look to Brides.com for ideas on blending customs that honor both your families’ culture.

5)“Wedding Crashers.” (2005) Bridesmaids beware! This cautionary tale of cavorting wedding crashers is a great choice for bachelor or bachelorette parties. From cheesy pick-up lines to an excellent guide to wedding toast do’s and don’ts, this popular movie has it all, including a standout performance from Christopher Walken.

6)“Father of the Bride.” (1991) To hire a wedding planner or not to hire a wedding planner? This classic re-make lends amusing perspective to this age-old question. Martin Short’s flamboyant performance as wedding planner to the stars is initially aggravating to bride’s father Steve Martin, but the end result is one of the most elegant wedding ceremonies in cinema history. Extra touches like the swan ice sculptures and the daddy-designed wedding tennis shoes add sentimental sparkle to this heart-warming film.

7)“The Philadelphia Story.” (1940) Grooms, hide your groom clubs! Haughty Katherine Hepburn perfectly portrays hot-headed heiress Tracy Lord as she juggles her three star-studded suitors. Sure, sticking to a wedding budget can be difficult, but this film shows us wealthy brides don’t always have it easy either!

8) “Four Weddings and A Funeral.” (1994) This Oscar-nominated English film is British humor at its best. Droll one-liners about love abound in this film, including the theory that a marriage proposal is not a declaration of love but a desperate icebreaker posed by men who have run out of polite conversation. Also lovable is the way the film embraces the universal hope that weddings will help guests get lucky in love as well.

9) “The Wedding Banquet.” (1993) In this funny and sensitive wedding movie by cinema genius Ang Lee, it’s all about the after-party. From immigration to cultural expectations, this film features an elaborate reception that serves as the backdrop to this comedy of errors.

10) “Everyone Says I Love You.”(1997) This hilarious Woody Allen musical highlights the perils of a thoroughly modern marriage: the ex-husbands, the children from former marriages, and the random convicts who creep into our hearts at inadvertent times. Stand-out scenes include the most botched marriage proposal in history: the groom places the engagement ring in the dessert only to have the bride swallow it! To avoid proposal problems such as these, check out the Brides.com guide to popping the question, no paramedics necessary.

Whether heartwarming or heart wrenching, there’s nothing like snuggling in to a good wedding movie to help beat bridal stress. Before letting wedding worries get the best of you, pop in one of these classics for a quick relaxation fix.

About Brides.com

For “Your #1 Source for Wedding Ideas,” visit www.brides.com, the online home to Brides, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride.

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Destination weddings to Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Maui, Jamaica and more are becoming more and more popular as destination wedding planning online has become easier and easier. The beach is the most popular destination wedding theme these days and many brides want to start their wedding theme off right with a beautiful beach theme wedding invitation.

Many beach wedding invitation sites like BeachWedlockInvitations.com exist to offer hundreds of beach wedding invitations, but beach brides aren’t worried about finding the right beach invitation as much as they are worried about their beach wedding invitation wording.

Every bride wants her wedding to be unique and her wedding invitation is no different. Finding the perfect beach wedding invitation wording is as important as finding the perfect beach wedding invitation itself, so here are 5 beach wedding invitation wording tips.

1. Know yourself and your spouse to be - Your beach invitation wording should reflect you and your future spouses personalities, love and quirkiness … yes, quirkiness. Wedding invitations have been done for millions of years, if you want to be original, you are going to have to capture what makes you and your beach love different than other couples.

2. There is no wrong wording - Certain wedding invitation wording ethics exist, but most people don’t know them and wouldn’t notice if you went according to the rules or not. Besides, more and more brides and grooms are throwing the rules to the wind these days and just writing what they want. Don’t worry about trying to follow all the rules. The reason you’re probably having a beach wedding is because you didn’t want the traditional wedding ceremony anyway, so have your beach wedding invitation reflect the same free flowing spirit that the beach has.

3. Know your audience - Even though we just mentioned that your beach wedding invitation wording should be about you and your future beach spouse by placing your quirkiness in your beach invitation wording, remember who your audience is. If you are sending this invitation to an 80-year-old grandma, you probably don’t want to use profanity or other inappropriate language.

4. Beach phrases - Find a single beach phrase that fits you and your spouse but also suits the beach setting you will be married in. “Once upon a time on a beach …” or “What happens on the beach … stays in our hearts,” are just some examples. More examples can be found at BeachWedlockInvitations.com.

5. Match your wording to your invitation - Simple beach weddings with simple beach themes should have simple beach wedding invitation themes as well. A beach wedding with 10 - 50 people is an intimate setting and the invitations should reflect that. Don’t bog down the wording with a 20 line poem to begin the invitation. A beach wedding with over 500 people can be reason for the 20 line poem.

Good luck with your beach weddings, your beach wedding invitations, and your beach wedding invitation wording. To see the most beach wedding invitations in the world on one Web site go to: BeachWedlockInvitations.com.

Renae C. Judkins is the owner of the largest Web site for beach themed wedding invitations in the world, www.BeachWedlockInvitations.com.

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Visualize weddings as like a jigsaw puzzle of traditions. Everyone has their own customs they bring from their family and culture. When a man and woman decide to marry, they each bring a piece of the puzzle to create a unique tradition of their own. The lighting of unity candles is one of these traditions that have become more popular within the past ten to twenty years.

When referring to unity candles, there are actually three. Two thin tapered candles stand for two individuals who will unite in marriage. There is also a large pillar candle that will be lit which signifies the joining of the two individuals. Depending on the location and preference, sometimes you will have a special candle dish or holder which will house all three unity candles. Other times you will have the large candle in the middle and the other two flanking it. Individual candle holders may be used for the unity candles as well.

The lighting of the unity candles has no religious connotations, but is representative of what a marriage is all about. There are no written rules on how the lighting of the unity candles should be performed. Therefore, you can create your own traditions and tailor this ritual to suit your wedding ceremony.

Typically, though, the unity candles are lit right after the wedding rings are exchanged but before the bride and groom are announced as husband and wife. There are also variations on who originally lights the individual unity candles. Sometimes, the individual tapered unity candles are lit before the ceremony starts and stay lit throughout the entire process. Other times, the parents of the bride and groom step forward after the ring presentation to light the candles.

The practice of the lighting of the unity candles also may have the bride and groom each lighting their own during the ritual. Then they come together and light the larger one in a symbol of unity, of two becoming one. Some debate exists about whether or not to blow out the individual tapered unity candles or leave them lit. One argument for blowing out the individual candles is that it symbolizes your forsaking the single life and committing to one another in marriage. On the flip side, leaving them lit means that while you are committed to one another in marriage, you are not forsaking your own individualism either.

Now that you have an idea about the ritual of lighting the unity candles, did you realize that are so many to choose from too? The unity candles are made in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes. Some are simple and unadorned. Others are elaborate and showy, decorated in a style suited to match your wedding décor.

These unity candles are customizable too. You can make them personal by having your wedding date printed on it along with your names. A special quote or short poem might be appropriate to convey your sentiments about marriage.

Marriage is the biggest commitment a person makes. Lighting of the unity candles as part of your wedding ceremony makes a big impact. Not only are you reciting vows before your loved ones, but you are also symbolizing your union in a very visual way.

So what do you do with the unity candles once the ceremony is over? Keep them to light for special occasions like your anniversary or the birth of a new child. You will be able to enjoy your unity candles for years to come.

The feel of sand in our toes, the warm sun on our faces, building sand castles and collecting summer shells, these are just some of the joys of frolicking on a beautiful beach. Now more then ever, couples are choosing the laid back style of a summery beach wedding. What ever you can imagine about a beach style wedding is possible these days with a little help from online wedding favor companies.

Whether you choose to marry at a beautiful beach resort, on a secluded tropical island, or in your own backyard, your summer wedding is not complete until you pick out fun and festive favors! Favors should reflect your style and personality and of course, your wedding theme. Next think about how you would like to present your wedding favors to your guests. You may choose to place favors on reception tables, or have someone hand out favors to your guests as they prepare to leave.

However you choose to place your favors, be inspired and make your wedding your own. Adding a touch of personalization will make your wedding even more memorable for your friends and family.

Personalized beach favors come in a variety of styles and options. Cocktail mixes are the new and exciting wedding favors, with adorable designs such as flip flops and relaxing beach chair designs, these favors will be the talk of the table. Inside these festive favors is your choice of margarita or cosmopolitan mix; personalize these favors with the couple’s names and wedding date.

Choose from beach shell bottle openers, beach glass coasters, personalized Adirondack tea light holders, to beautiful little star fish soaps. Purchase mini pails, fill them with shells that you personally collected, tie a ribbon around the pail with a small thank you note. Taking the time to make one of a kind favors will show your friends and family how special they are to you. Combine different favors together, personalized tea packs and coffee bags in organza bags are a great way to start your loved ones day. Pass out summer themed beach cameras, wedding goers are sure to capture plenty of unexpected moments, for you to enjoy for years to come.

Let’s not forget the bride! Be sure and give the bride and bride’s maids Just Married flip flops, allowing the ladies to show off their perfect pedicures……each time they step in the sand, the message Just Married appears! A wonderful way to spread the exciting news to everyone! With so many styles and options, adding that personal touch to your wedding will be a cinch. Make your wedding anything but ordinary, make it yours!

About the Author

Ruben Soliman has experience with wedding planning. To find beach theme wedding favors for your special day, try http://www.pwponline.com. This site offers a variety of themed wedding favors at great prices.

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tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography