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Great Wedding Ceremonies in Your Life

Get Married on A Budget – Without Making Sacrifices

The economy is tight these days, and money just doesn’t go as far as it used to. But a bad economy won’t stop you from meeting that special somewhere, and nobody wants to postpone a life moment like a wedding just because you don’t have as many resources as you’d like.

Certainly, there is a wide spectrum of possible wedding costs. You can get hitched in Vegas or at your city hall for nothing more than the cost of a marriage license, or you could arrange an extravagant destination wedding in a four star hotel overseas. But for those of us who fall somewhere in between, the goal is to keep costs low without making your special day seem like a low-budget affair. Here are some ideas:

Defer the Ring Cost

I know, we all want to have nicest and most dazzling jewelry possible. We want black diamond engagement rings and gold wedding rings to wear when we’re at the altar. But rings that are nice require a good chunk of money – money that may be better spent on your wedding or your honeymoon. For cash-strapped couples, a good alternative is to buy cheap (and temporary) wedding bands which they can wear during the wedding, the honeymoon, and even for several months afterwards until wedding expenses are in the past and more money starts to come in.

Cut Some Guests

If your guest list is already small and exclusive this may not seem like a sacrifice-free budget cut, but most of us invite at least a few people to our weddings that we’re not particularly thrilled to have. Maybe they invited us to theirs, maybe they’re a friend of a good friend, or maybe – for whatever reason – we simply feel obligated. Ultimately there are people who cannot be invited to any given wedding, and it’s up to you to decide where to draw that line. If money is tight, draw it more rigidly. It’s your money and your special occasion, and a distant friend will probably understand.

Skip the Open Bar

Some of your guests may not approve, but an open bar is one wedding cost that adds up quickly. Instead of obliging those people that want to drink freely, you can provide wine at each table or maybe a limited selection of beer. It’s hard to have even a modest wedding without providing some food, but alcohol is no marriage necessity. If you’re choosing between downsizing your venue or making it harder for guests to get drunk, cut the beer cooler – you won’t regret it.

Depending on your specific situation, there are many other ways to cut wedding costs without sacrificing too greatly. Before just assuming that certain costs are obliged, think about whether you really need them on your special day. If you and your fiancé don’t need the expense, all your guests will handle its loss just fine.

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5 steps to the perfect wedding reception

Even though weddings are celebrations of something truly wonderful, they can be a complete hassle to plan. The stress of organising so many elements usually falls to the couple themselves, who often get so bogged down with the details they forget to be excited and elated until the day itself. This really isn’t a good situation to get into. Your wedding will probably be the most important, memorable day of your life, and you should enjoy planning it as much as you will enjoy the actual day.

The reception is the main part of the organisation process, and the whole day hinges on this being a success. So whether you met on dating websites or through friends, here are five steps towards a flawless wedding reception. As long as you’ve got all of these elements in place, there’s no need to stress over preparations!

Artistic aesthetics

Make sure the venue looks great. This is a lot simpler than it sounds – just find a sheaf of wedding magazines and flick through them for inspiration. Experiment with lighting, colourful flowers and table settings. If you’re not very creative, get insight from some of your friends, or you could even recruit a professional wedding planner to put together some gorgeous designs. Be artistic, bold and daring – don’t necessarily go for traditional wedding décor.

Conscientious catering

Wedding food is all about attention to detail. Recruit a team whose appetisers will match the beauty of your décor with great presentation and great taste. Be conscientious with your planning – not everyone likes the same food, so make sure there are plenty of options for your extensive number of guests. Make certain there are vegetarian and vegan options. You wouldn’t want to offend anyone or leave them hungry.

Sensitive speechmaking

Keep an eye on your speechmakers. Ask them how the writing is going and ask them if they need any help. If you’re really paranoid, insist on a full rehearsal before the big day. You wouldn’t want any embarrassing or inappropriate stories shocking the room and putting everyone off their delicious and intricately decorated cuisine.

Mood music

Go for varied music that fits well with the mood. You’ll need songs that make you dance (I would recommend a heavy dose of Motown here), songs that everyone knows (chuck in all the classics), slow romantic songs, including your first-dance track (but don’t make these too cheesy) and personal songs that you both love (after all, it is your party).

A bounty of booze

A healthy supply of alcohol is a must for a successful wedding reception. It eases the atmosphere and means everyone will take to the dance floor, as opposed to just a scattered few. Make sure someone’s keeping an eye on the people who are likely to take too much advantage of a free bar, though! You wouldn’t want someone’s excessive drinking to ruin the event.

Whether you met at university or in Manchester dating online, there’s no need to stress about your wedding reception. If you have all of these five elements, you’re laughing.

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Theme Weddings – Far More Chic Than You Think

The special day has finally come. Your beloved has proposed! It is time to start planning the perfect wedding. This can be more difficult than it seems. You might find it hard to weave together your different personalities into a ceremony and reception that suits you both. Add to that the pressure from your mothers, and you might be ready to quit before you get started.

Do not give up yet! You can create a beautiful wedding that will please everyone and be remembered forever. This is easily done with a theme wedding. These weddings have branched out from the boring themes of the past and are no longer corny. Check out the ideas below for inspiration and get planning!

1) Steampunk – This is a style set in the late 19th century when steam power was king. It is set in fantasy, allowing the imagination to roam free. A wedding based on this theme can be beautiful and chic. The basic steampunk look focuses on gears and rivets, all covered with a worn patina. Because of this decorating is easy, as is creating unique wedding invitations.

2) Western – This popular theme has grown up. Gone are the days of hay bale seating and tacky bridesmaid dresses. Today, small western twists can be added to the flowers, cake and food to create a fun wedding. These ceremonies are most appreciated in the western states.

3) Black and White – These two colors together create a wedding theme that is classy and sophisticated. It is easy to incorporate the colors into every aspect of your special day, from the bridesmaid dresses to the table settings. Pearls look especially good in this setting, as do black feathers. If you feel that black and white alone are a little too intense, try lightening thing up with subtle touches of silver. The end results will be spectacular.

4) Cultural – Do you or your fiancée come from a different country or cultural background? Honor that heritage in your wedding! It is usually easy to find venues, decorations, flowers and dresses that fit into the theme you have chosen. A wedding is a time to celebrate you and your future spouse. What better way to do so than to focus on who you are?

5) Time Period – Choosing a specific time period and forming your wedding around it can lead to beautiful results. There are so many different options. Many people choose to go with a Renaissance theme, while others prefer a wedding set in the 1950s. Keep the food, music and decorations in line with your chosen time period. Choose an era that is important to you, and have fun with it!

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How to Choose the Best Wedding Rings

The sheer variety of wedding rings on offer may confuse you when you are out to choose the perfect piece for your partner! What kind of wedding ring should you get? Should you go for delicate pieces or more practical designs? What metal should you opt for? Relax – we’ll give you a few simple tips that will help you get the best!

• First off – decide on a budget! Only you can decide what you can afford to spend on your wedding ring. Have a reasonable estimate in mind and try not to go over the top! You’ll need to decide between platinum, gold, titanium, silver or even diamond rings – and a budget will help things along right at the start!

• Think about your lifestyle – it’s not just about your budget of course. Your lifestyle will be a deciding factor too! For instance, titanium and tungsten are tough metals. If you have a lifestyle that involves a lot of physical labor – these would be better choices for you. All metals except tungsten WILL scratch with use, of course. So go for a finish that can be re-polished easily.

Your lifestyle will also decide whether you go for intricate, delicate designs or practical and hardy options. A wedding ring that is delicately designed and encrusted with precious stones may be a good option if you are not into rough and heavy work. But if you’re into mountain climbing as a regular activity- you might want to rethink that delicately crafted ring!

• The shape of the hand – whether you are choosing the ring for yourself or your partner – it needs to be in keeping with the shape of the fingers and the hand! What are we talking about? A slender hand or fingers would look better in a wedding band that is slimmer – about 5mm or less. If your fingers are broader in shape, go for wider bands.

• Do your homework – Find out more about the precious stones and the metal being used for your ring. You’ll make a more informed decision that way. You will also have a better idea about the costs involved. You don’t want to secure a ‘bargain’ diamond ring – only to find out you paid a hefty sum on a cloudy and yellow version!

What’s more, not all precious stones can be used on wedding rings. That’s because some, like Opal, may be too delicate for everyday wear.

• The comfort factor – weddings rings are meant to be worn round the year – so the comfort factor will be all important when you are considering the best ring for your partner. Make sure the ring does not have sharp edges. You should also ensure that the inside of the ring curves softly. This will make the ring sit easier on the finger – and will therefore be more comfortable.

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