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–Bride & Groom must appear together
As a one time Mother-of-the-Bride I can personally attest that every bride, regardless of the size of the wedding, needs help in planning and executing the days and events prior to the wedding as well as the actual W-Day! I was blessed that my daughter worked cooperatively with me in planning her wedding, but she will confirm that we needed a professional wedding and reception director/planner for the big day. It's not good for the body to dismiss nature's calls for ten hours because there just isn't any time to fit that duty into the day! After my experience as MOBWP/WD (Mother-of-the-Bride, Wedding Planner/Wedding Director) I can wholeheartedly encourage every bride to seek help with the planning and preparation of the most memorable event in their life to date. A trained wedding coordinator/director can not only bring experience, patience, and organization to the table, but they WILL save you time and money! If you are still skeptical and think that you (or poor Mom) can do it all yourselves let me take a moment to remind you that it is time consuming on the wedding day to make sure that everyone not only knows when to arrive at the wedding location but that they do arrive and if they aren't dressed then they need to know where they can go to accomplish this and then what time to be where for pictures. If the bride and groom wish to be "apart" until the actual ceremony there is some orchestration involved in this and it is rough going without a coach/referee/director/coordinator/friend/seasoned professional to take the lead and make the day magical, wonderful, and stress-free for the entire wedding party. Whew! That's quite a lot and I was referring to only one hour of the day-imagine all the details that need attention before the wedding, let alone on the actual big day. Plan It With Love (or if you can’t use me – then substitute “A certified wedding coordinator/director”) will work with any budget and any size wedding. There is no “too small” wedding for any planning and/or directing and absolutely when considering a medium to large wedding you absolutely must have help. When you begin your consultation with a professional coordinator they will find out what YOU want your wedding to be – serious and formal, whimsical and fun, or casual and family-oriented. A professional will guide you through the decisions that must be made and they will tell you when these decisions need to be made from the biggest decision – where and when to have the ceremony – to the smallest detail of “something old, something blue….” While it is true that there are books out there that you can consult for guidance, again, I am citing my own experience when I tell you that a book is not going to be able to find the groomsman that wandered off, line all the attendants up sixteen times, pin on corsages and boutonnieres, and assure a timid flower girl that she can walk down that aisle because mommy will be waiting for her when she gets there. And yes, you can probably find an answer to the question about how to cut the wedding cake and should you have a train bearer on the Internet – but one call to your wedding planner will save hours of surfing the web – more time to plan your future life together. It just makes sense for you to concentrate on the “big picture” – where you will live after you are married (will you rent or will you buy), where will you go on your honeymoon, etc., rather than worrying if your bridesmaids know when and where to be for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and did they pick up their dresses and matching shoes, and who is going to bring the guest book to the reception, and will the guests know about the special wedding favors your grandmother made by hand? Enjoy this day – you deserve to have a stress-free moment in your life – this is your “Queen for the Day” opportunity – let a professional pamper you and help you make your dreams come true. The first consultation with a wedding planner is free – go for it!
Here are the terms you will need to know Ballet-length – Also known as the waltz veils, they end at about ankle length.
One year before Wedding • Discuss the Wedding Budget with both sets of parents • Book photographer, videographer, cake decorator, and caterer. Four months before the Wedding • Help select groom’s tux Two months before the Wedding • Book make-up and hair consultation (remind your attendants to do the same) One month before the wedding • Final dress fitting Two weeks before the Wedding • Review transportation arrangements One week before the Wedding • Check on details with caterer, florist, photographer, musicians, limo, and all other suppliers-confirm time.
• Invitations • Reception Only Invitations • Response cards & Envelopes • Ceremony Programs • Seating Place cards • Napkins • Marriage Announcement cards • Thank- You Cards • New Address Announcements • Stamps • Calligraphist
How to Word and Address Your Wedding Invitations Wedding invitations do much more than let your friends and family know where and when you and your fiancé will marry. Invitations set the tone and formality of an event, and give your guests the information they need to know about who is hosting the wedding and what style of ceremony to expect. Wedding invitation etiquette can be daunting, but fear not! The following guidelines should assist you in selecting just the right words for your special day: • The first line of your wedding invitation indicates who is issuing the invitations, which is traditionally done by the bride's parents. • Jointly issued invitations – those issued by both sets of parents - as well as invitations issued by the couple are also acceptable where appropriate. See the examples that follow for suggestions. • If the wedding invitation is being issued by the couple, the first line should include the couple's names, bride first, or may begin with “Together with their families”. • Always include the full names, including middle names, of the bride, groom, and parents. • Spell out suffixes such as "Junior" as opposed to using “Jr.”. • Use roman numerals “III” instead of “the third” and higher. • Do not abbreviate other titles, such as “Doctor”, “Captain”, or “Reverend”. • You may use “Mr.” in front of the groom's name, if desired, on most wording styles. • You may use “Miss” or “Ms.” in front of the bride's name when her full name including last name is used. This is optional as well.• Using “requests the honour (or honor) of your presence" is appropriate when the wedding will take place in a religious location or house of worship (i.e. church, synagogue, temple, mosque, etc.). • Use “requests the pleasure of your company" for non-religious weddings or those held in secular locations (i.e. park, city hall, parent's house, etc.) >>Use wording similar to the sample below for weddings in religious locations where the bride's parents are issuing the invitation: Mr. and Mrs. James Charles Goodwin
Mr. and Mrs. James Charles Goodwin
Mr. and Mrs. James Charles Goodwin >>If the couple is issuing the invitation, use one of the following:
>>The wedding invitation should be worded as shown below if the groom's parents issue the invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edward Gardner >>Use wording similar to the following when both sets of parents are hosting the wedding/reception. Mr. and Mrs. James Charles Goodwin >>When the bride's divorced and remarried parents co-host the wedding, recognize both parents as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jenson >>When the bride's remarried mother and husband (not the bride's father) host, notice that the bride's last name is included:
>>If the bride's mother is hosting, and she is divorced and not remarried, choose one of the following: Ms. Samantha Stewart Goodwin
Envelopes: When you order your invitations, you will likely order two sets of envelopes, an inner envelope and an outer envelope. Both envelopes should be addressed, the outer with the full name and address of the recipient, and the inner with just the names of the invited guests. Use these guidelines to make your envelopes picture perfect. • The return address may be pre-printed on the back of the outer envelope and should be the address of the person(s) issuing the invitations. • Spell out all parts of the address - Street, Drive, Boulevard, etc., as well as city and state. Use numbers for the house number and zip code. • Always use full names – “Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson”, or “Doctor and Mrs. James Johnson.” • When inviting unmarried couples who live together, address the envelope alphabetically by last name. • Same-sex couples follow the same rule as unmarried couples that live at the same address – list them alphabetically by last name on the envelope. • Do not put “and Guest” on the outer envelope. If the invitee has a significant other or partner, find out the name of the partner and add it to the invitation. Mail the invitation to the address of the person you consider the closer acquaintance. • You may use “and Guest” on the inner envelope if you are allowing a guest that is not a steady person in the invitee''s life. • Using “and Family” on the inner envelope is only appropriate where you are inviting the children who are under 18. Children over 18 should get their own invitation, even if they live in the same household as the invited parent(s). • Inner envelopes should be written with the names of the guests only, and may include just the surname rather than the full name (i.e. “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson”, “Ms. Gordon”, etc.) Response cards: • Response cards provide a convenient way for your guests to indicate whether they will be able to attend your wedding. It is often helpful for your response cards to include a “Please respond by” date. • Response cards should have the address of the person(s) issuing the invitations pre-printed on the front. • Always include the postage on the response cards return envelope. Reception Cards: • Reception cards are generally used when the reception is at a different location or is later in the day. Otherwise, you can just add "Reception immediately following" to the end of your invitations. • If your reception is formal, specify “Black Tie” on the reception card. • If the caterer requires that guests select their meals prior to the reception, it is acceptable to provide a checklist of available dishes on your reception cards. Maps and Directions: • If you feel you must include a map or directions to your wedding or reception, make sure that you order them with your wedding invitation order so that the paper, print and style will compliment your invitations. • Do not hand-draw directions and put photocopies into your invitations; this will cheapen the look of your invitations. By following the above-described rules of etiquette, you will help to ease your worry and lower your stress, knowing that your invitations convey the right message. And less stress is certainly a good thing for all engaged couples at this hectic yet wonderful time. Courtesy of Viveca Park
Taking a few minutes to check your credit report and credit score gives you the knowledge you need to plan for your future together. As you merge your lives and your finances, here are a few things to keep in mind: * Notify creditors if you change your name. They will update your name with the credit reporting agencies when they next report your account information. * Share your credit reports with each other. If either you or your spouse-to-be has had trouble getting credit alone, try setting up a joint account to capitalize on your shared income and the other person's stronger history. The joint account will be reported in each name so each credit history will benefit from a positive account paid as agreed. *Check your credit scores. According to Experian's National Score Index (www.NationalScoreIndex.com), the national average credit score is 675; for men the average is 673, for women 680. NationalScoreIndex.com also lets you compare your credit score to the average in your state and local area. * If you discover that your credit history is not as good as you would like, you can take steps, such as paying your bills on time or paying down debt, to make it less risky. * Keep in mind that your credit report is always changing based on information provided by creditors. It is important to check your credit report regularly, so you can stay on top of changes before they impact your credit rating. Consider signing up for a credit monitoring product, such as Experian's Triple Alert (www.TripleAlert.com), which provides daily monitoring of all three of your national credit reports and sends email alerts that report key changes. These simple steps will ensure that your credit history will speak in your favor when you need it. Learn more about credit at www.NationalScoreIndex.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
* Make the speech short. • The best man toasts the bride. • The best man toasts the bride & groom
Congratulations--- you and your spouse are moving into your first home together. By following a few helpful moving tips, you can make the load a little lighter and lessen the chances of letting your excitement about a new home get lost within the rummage. Following are some tips to help you get started. • Make a list of addresses and phone numbers of utility companies, newspapers, magazines and any other publications to which you subscribe. You will need to inform them about your move. • Get a free change-of-address kit from the post office. For extra flair when informing friends of your move, send specially designed change-of-address cards or create your own and personalize them using rubber stamps or stickers. Or to make it much easier, send emails with this information • Make sure you have plenty of boxes on hand. First pack the things you don’t use or need right away, and move them in early. Anything you can take care of ahead of time will make the moving day easier. Remember to label boxes so you know what is inside each one. • Consolidate as much as you can. Wrap fragile items in towels, linen, tissue or thick layers of newspaper. Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books. • Before you start unpacking make the bed. Moving can take days, but this way you’re guaranteed a good night’s rest, no matter where you leave off your unpacking. And, you’ll be better rested for the next day’s work. May joy and peace surround you both, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now and God bless you evermore.
In the early 1900's, an Irish couple would walk to church together on their Wedding Day. If the people of their parish approved their union they would throw rice, pots, pans, brushes and other household items at the couple as they approached their church. Today, hen parties (Bridal Showers) have replaced this practice. Some Irish people wear a claddagh ring for a wedding ring. This ring was created by a master goldsmith, Richard Joyce, 400 years ago in a fishing village called Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay. The claddagh symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. On the right hand with the heart facing inward it means the wearer's heart is unoccupied... facing outwards reveals love is being considered. When worn on the left hand facing outward it signifies that the wearer is seriously committed or married. There seems to be confusing and conflicting ways of wearing the claddagh ring, here is an alternative interpretation.
Irish Wedding Trivia A fine day means good luck, especially if the sun shines on the bride
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts,
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