Monetizing Your Wedding Blog - How to Earn Money With Your Wedding Blog

If you are a bride and you have your own personal wedding blog, you might want to know if you can earn some money with your blog. A lot of brides start out writing a blog to record their experiences in planning their wedding so they can share it with their family and friends. Later, they find they really enjoy blogging and want to devote more time to it and possibly even earn some money from it.
Brides always want to hear stories about other brides planning their wedding. They want to know what wedding dress you chose, what your color motif is, what decorations you chose for the reception. They also want to know how to deal with their fiances, their wedding vendors and their families and friends. A wedding blog is perfect for sharing since it is an online diary and you can share your experiences as they are happening. A blog is also very easy to setup and update.
If you don't already have a blog, you can head over to Blogger.com to get your own blog. Blogger is probably one of the easiest blog interfaces. It is owned by Google so if you already have a Google or Gmail account, you can use the same account to log in to Blogger. You can also choose different colors and themes to personalize your blog.
You can also use other blog platforms but just make sure that you are allowed to serve ads since some blog platforms do not allow ads on their site.
Before you can earn money from your blog, remember that brides visit websites to find information so make sure you have at least 5 good articles that other brides would want to read about. Brides usually want to hear about details of real weddings, preferably with lots of pictures, as well as stories and confessions about the wedding. They also want to learn more about the different aspects of wedding planning, wedding etiquette as well as where to find the best bargains. If you are a DIY (do-it-yourself) bride, you might want to share some of your DIY techniques to your readers. A good rule of thumb is to find out what you like to read about in other wedding blogs and websites and more often than not, those would be interesting to your readers as well. After the first 5 articles, you should aim to update your blog regularly. It does not matter it is daily or weekly or monthly, just set a frequency and stick to it.
Once you have good content on your website, you can start monetizing it. There are three ways you can profit from your wedding blog: pay-per-click ads, pay-per-action or affiliate programs and product reviews.

• Pay-per-click (PPC) ads These are ads that you can place in your website and you get paid every time somebody clicks on the ad. The most popular example is Google AdSense. The best thing about Google AdSense is that the ads are contextual, meaning it tries to match the ads to the content of your blog post. For example, if you are writing about wedding dresses, the ads that would be displayed would usually be about wedding dresses, thus making it more relevant to your readers. The more relevant the ads are to your readers, the more they will click on the ads and the more you will earn. Just make sure to never click your own ads and never to ask somebody to click your ads since that constitutes click fraud and it could get you banned from AdSense.


• Pay-per-action (PPA) or Affiliate programs With affiliate programs, you promote a product and you get paid when somebody buys that product using your link. This is perfect for wedding blogs since you can talk about a lot of different products like wedding dresses, wedding jewelry, wedding invitations and other wedding products. This is very helpful to brides since brides are always looking for hot items for their weddings. You can also offer coupon codes for these items so your readers can get discounts. A popular affiliate program is Commission Junction.


• Product reviews Some companies will actually pay you to review their product. You usually have to have a minimum of 200 words in your review. Be sure to have a disclaimer page on your blog saying that you are being paid to do the review. One of the more popular ones is ReviewMe.

How to Raise and Save Money for a Wedding

Congratulations on your engagement! So much to think about! Before you start electing people for your wedding party you may want to begin thinking of how you are going to finance your wedding. Not every bride to be has a wealthy father to cover the expenses of a wedding, as traditionally the bride's family is responsible for costs. Many brides and grooms have to take care of the wedding funds by planning, saving, and budgeting the expenses.
First make a list of what you intend to have at your wedding. The location, wedding attire, catering, reception, honeymoon and everything else you intend to finance and make a rough estimate on costs. Set a budget up for each individual item on your list and investigate options based on quality and costs. When you have an idea of how much you intend to spend on your wedding you can then think about how you are going to reach your goal.
Make a website! There are tons of wedding pages out there so you can keep your friends and family up to date on events surrounding your engagement. My Wedding Planner has a great page that comes equipped with a wedding planner and built in modules so you can find vendors in your area and money saving resources.

• Monthly raffles! Ask your friends and family to purchase low costs raffle tickets, approximately $1.00-5.00 per raffle and the gift could be a $10.00-20.00 gift card. You can host the contests from your website and collect money with a PayPal.com account.
• Run a sign up sheet of budget necessities off your website and as it gets closer to the date your friends can select certain things to cover in order to help you out. You can add a module that allows the guests to see what has been covered and what expenses still need to be taken care of. For instance, one friend can sign up to take care of flowers, the other the cake, and the other 25% of reception hall, etc.
• The average American wedding costs roughly between $20,000-25,000 but don't let that scare you! A perfectly beautiful dream wedding can be obtained for about $5,000-7,000 if budgeted correctly.
Don't forget to start a Registry! Registering your bridal shower with any department store can also help you to save money. Some of the items you chose can be used for décor during the ceremony or reception, along with catering supplies, etc.
Hire a Local Band! Many new and talented bands offer their services for next to nothing on your local Craigslist. Just go online and post a listing searching for a local band that play a particular genre. Many of the bands just want the chance to play in front of an audience and get their name out there, so it is a win for both of you and you save dough by avoiding high DJ costs.
Consider Location! Chapels or church fees tend to be a bit more expensive than beachfront weddings or scenery weddings. If you decide that you must be married in a church make sure it is high on your priority list of things to take care of in advance. Beachfront weddings can be beautiful, scenic, and less costly so this may be a nice alternative.
The Dresses! Of course we want our dress to be perfect and there are many dresses out there by popular retailers that offer discounts in bulk for you and your wedding party. If you're on even a tighter budget you can consider purchasing the dress overseas in advance (like in China) and have the dresses shipped over in advance. Make sure to check the reviews of the company and contact former clients for their input and experience and if any alterations need to be done have them done in the states before the wedding. eBay.com has a huge selection of magnificent wedding dresses and attire that are extremely affordable. Check their feedback for all their reviews before buying or bidding.
Now that there has been a successful Wedding Proposal you're officially engaged and it's time for some major planning! Getting married is stressful enough! The hardest part about getting married (next to cold feet) is the money that it involves. If you save in advance by putting a small percentage of your income to the side and focusing on budgeting comfortably, you minimize stress so the experience... isn't so painful. Don't forget to Treasure your Marriage for the years to come. Good luck and Congratulations!

Tips And Tricks On Choosing The Best Dress Pants

Most men are keen about wearing denims in any occasion they attend. On that note, they are unmindful of the motif or theme which must be observed in the event. If you are one of these men, you have to understand that it pays to do dress appropriately for every occasion whether you like it or not. Having the best dress pants would be the first step you ought to take in line with this endeavour. It is very easy to do provided that you have the right guidelines and an open mind that you can also look well and feel comfortable in them.

These pants are best worn in semi-formal events. When required to appear in smart casual attire, some men wear them. They come in varied colors, cuts and fabrics. Each of which suits certain kinds of event you can think of. Perhaps, your company is holding an important business party for the clients. Getting there in your casual shirts and shorts would not be advisable. Check your closet and look for long-sleeved dress shirts which you can pair with dress pants for men. Your top could either be in solid color or two-toned stripes. With your trousers, it would be safe to choose common colors like beige, black or white. What you have is a company party and so your clothes must look smart. The same goes if you are to attend a seminar or meeting with clients.
In the case that you are having a barbeque party with friends or playing golf with colleagues, you can go for pants that have perky colors like green, red and yellow among others. Polo shirts in solid colors or stripes make the best match for these bottoms. Notice that golfers often sport a polo shirt in plain hue paired with beige or white pants which look classic and neat.

Moving forward, there are other points to keep in mind about purchasing the best dress pants that will complete your wardrobe. Inspect your body type. Certain cuts of trousers do not suit certain body types. Do you have a plum figure with stuffy belly? Never go for pleated trousers. These will make you look bigger in that area. Instead, wear a pair with flat front. Do you have a small waist but large rear and thighs? Choose trousers in full cut. These shall cover your fleshy thighs. If you have a hard time assessing your body type, ask a friend or loved one to help you out. Better yet bring them along when you shop.
Let us say the tips mentioned above are not enough for you. There are fashion blogs of famed guru which you can consult when buying the best dress pants. There you can read additional information like how to wear them, recommended fabric, suitable accessories like belts, and how to care for them as in washing and ironing tips. In fact, some fashion blogs even advice readers where they can get a real deal for these items.

Want To Wear The Best Dress Pants? Visit Us Here For Top Fashion Ideas. You Can Also Check Out http://www.fannybrides.com/ For The Best Help In Choosing The Best Dress Pants And Shirts To Wear Today.

How to Get a Stylish New Wardrobe For Free - Clothes Swapping

Keeping up with the latest fashions can be an expensive business. Most people buy clothes and then get bored of them or decide that they never even liked them in the first place. If you are constantly wanting new clothes and feel the need to update, your wardrobe, but don't have enough money, there is a way to get yourself a whole new wardrobe for free. Not only is it ideal for those on a budget but it is also incredibly eco-friendly, so you can feel really virtuous.
Clothes swapping is a great way to refresh, update and renew your wardrobe for free. Your first step in getting your stylish new wardrobe is to sort through your existing wardrobe and find some clothes that you no longer want. It is really important to have a good clear out and be ruthless in getting rid of clothes that you don't wear. This will make space in your wardrobe for your new goodies and also provide you with some good quality swapping items that will ensure you a good swap in return.

A good policy to employ when clearing out your wardrobe is asking the question 'have I worn this outfit in the last season?' if the answer is no, you will probably not wear it in the next season either or the one after that, so why not swap it for something that you will wear. Prime candidates for swapping are clothes that no longer fit, clothes that are not suitable for your lifestyle (if you hardly ever go to parties perhaps just keep one or two party dresses), clothes that you bought for a one off occasion e.g a wedding, bridesmaid or prom dress and clothes that you do not feel one hundred percent happy and confident wearing.
Once you have a pile of clothes to swap. You will need to make sure that they are clean, repaired (no missing buttons etc) and pressed. You can then begin to photograph them and list them on a clothes swapping website.
To create a really stylish wardrobe, think carefully about what items you would like to swap for. Look for quality well made pieces in styles that flatter your body shape and colours that flatter your skin tone. Do a bit of research, try on different styles of clothes to see what looks best and read magazines and fashion blogs to get some ideas. Also think carefully about what sorts of clothes you actually need. If you spend most of your time at work where the dress code is smart, it is no good swapping your clothes for hoodies and jeans. Work out how much time you spend in each different type of clothes and aim to swap for a proportionate number of items of each type of clothes.

Finally, stick to your list of must have items most of the time, but occasionally try something a bit different. You might even find a new style of clothes that you really love. This will also keep your look fresh and interesting.

This article was written by Ceri Heathcote for posh-swaps.com, a website for swapping, buying and selling second hand and vintage clothing.

How to Choose Colours for Your Wedding

At some point it has to happen, when planning a wedding sooner or later you're going to have finalise a colour scheme and sometimes it's the stationery that forces that decision especially if you're using Save the Date cards. At other times it might be the flowers, bridesmaid dresses, cake or other items that make you finally settle on one idea.
Perhaps the people who have it easiest are those who have a favourite colour that their partner either agrees or at least doesn't vehemently dislike or could be persuaded to. There's no doubt this is what they want to use and indecisive individuals such as me are very jealous as it avoids lots of pondering, reflection and second guessing. If this is the position you find yourself in you probably just have to decide if you want to use any other colours with your main colour. This can be very effective and should be considered but will be discussed in a later article. Though if you want information now Google things like complimentary colours, opposing colours and colour triads.

Seasonal Inspiration
The seasons or rather the alleged/supposed seasons as well we all know in the UK they have a habit of not really living up to their stereo types, especially when the hottest day of the year is in the Autumn. But the short comings of British weather aside the seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter can be a very good basis for a wedding colour scheme. It's a little like chefs saying by what's in season - although from an environmental point of view your colour choices are far less likely to be of any consequence over buying something grown locally or that's flown in from far away.
Spring
Spring is about freshness and new life. You have a lot of light natural colours but they're not full on or primary as life although on the up is probably delicate and still on the edge while the mornings can see the odd frost and misty mornings are still quite common. So pastel greens, blues, pinks, yellows are very good and appropriate. You could also base your decisions on flowers that typically flower at this time, especially for a very natural feeling wedding.
Summer
Summer in many ways is the pinnacle of the year, when life is at its fullest and most vital. The weather should in theory be sunny, flowers should abound and the sky should mostly blue and not grey. It is the time of year when you can be most full on with colours and wield primary greens, blues, pinks, oranges, and yellows. So it's basically like spring without needing to be so muted - although there's nothing wrong if you do want to tone them down a bit and use more pastel versions.
Autumn
Autumn is really a time of change which to my mind is quite transient and short lived as summer can last until October really and when that's the case you can go from 30 degree sunshine to 0 degrees at night really quickly and I often think that Autumn is really just the time between when it's definitely Summer and when it's definitely Winter oh and in some places the leaves fall off the tree and it's quite pretty! It's the leaves falling off the tree which forms the basis for many an autumn colour scheme. So we're talking oranges, reds, yellows and browns, not quite primary and maybe a bit darker. You also have berries coming in season at this time to.
Winter
This is perhaps the best time of year to get married from the point of view from choice of seasonal colour schemes. Christmas being at this time of year adds another lot of choices if your wedding is in December or late November. Ignoring Christmas briefly you have two ways of going. Essentially outside or inside - if that doesn't make sense I shall explain. Outside, as in outside the home it's of course a very cold time of year - we'll ignore that it's normally mild, wet and grey. So frosty colours do well, like very pale blues or even white for snow. Inside though it's a time of fire and warmth and wrapping up. Dark reds or firey colours can come to the fore. If you add in xmas suddenly you can choose really rich colours like purples, reds like the colour of mulled wine, gold and silver being a decadent time of the wear.
What you like
As a designer sometimes I like a challenge and you might want to base your colour scheme on what you and your partner both like. Think about something you have in common and the colours that might be associated with it. When I mention a challenge the challenge with this is to take an idea not really based on colour and find a way to bring it to life as colours for your weddings. An easy example would be the sea. You have a multitude of blues and bluey greens, greys and white from breaking waves. If you decide beaches, it's blues, yellows and any colour that you think sand or pebbles can be and maybe palm trees if you're thinking of tropical beaches. Or what if your into diving - colours from coral reefs. There's so much that can be done! Like starting with a favourite drink like wine, white, rose or red. There's chocolate or even hot chocolate. I quite like the idea of creamy browns and marshmallowy pinks or whites.
Look around
If you're not keen on a favourite colour or don't have one. Don't want to base it on the seasons and you haven't come with anything appealing by thinking about what you like without resorting to very geeky methods in the next section then essentially you need to keep your eyes open. Look for inspiration anywhere, in gardens or the high street, wedding magazines and blogs, well in fact any magazines and blogs. Websites also often have carefully thought out colour schemes where someone else has done the hard work.

Nathan Gardiner is a founder of Artemis Stationery which specialises in bespoke stationery for special occasions including weddings as well as canvas prints. A wide range of designs are available from Artemis Stationery including vintage, modern, funky classic and floral designs. To see Nathan's work, buy wedding stationery or find other wedding stationery resources visit http://www.fannybrides.com/

Ideas for Wedding Planning

Your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life. Ensuring that things go smoothly on this day should be the priority of every bride. The key to a flawless wedding day is proper wedding planning. What is wedding planning? This all-encompassing term simply means that you plan for everything that should happen on your wedding day, and you plan to avoid everything that should not happen. There are thousands of things to consider, from the color theme of your wedding to the travel arrangements of your guests. Some brides thrive on actively participating in every aspect of the planning of their wedding, while others prefer to delegate many tasks to a professional wedding planner.

 

Wedding Planning Checklist
Regardless of whether you intend to plan every aspect of your nuptials, or whether you wish to use the services of a wedding planner, you should at least be aware of the key elements that need to be planned for your wedding day. Here is a checklist for wedding planning and a guide for selecting necessary wedding vendors.
Stationary
From wedding invitations to napkins, there are many pieces of stationary that will need to be matched to your wedding color theme or printed with your nuptial details. Following are some of the important stationary you need to plan for your special day.

• Announce Engagement and "Save the Date" cards. Proper engagement announcement etiquette dictates that the groom should inform the parents of the bride in person of an engagement before anyone else discovers your intentions. Thereafter, announce to everyone your intentions to become married with engagement announcement cards and "Save the Date" cards. Engagement announcing cards can also invite your loved ones to an engagement party. Save the date cards are for when you have decided on the date of your wedding.
• Wedding Invitations. What is the difference between a wedding invitation and save the date cards? Often times, you will decide on the date of your wedding long before you have decided upon all the details of your big day. Once you have the date of your wedding nailed down, it is appropriate to immediately send "Save the Date" cards. This lets everyone set aside your wedding day so that conflicts in schedule do not happen. Later on, when you know the location of your wedding, the reception and all other necessary details is when you send your wedding invitation.
• Place cards, napkins and programs. To let your guests know their seating arrangements at the reception, place cards must be printed. Customized napkins are an excellent way to accent the celebration and provide a keep-sake for those attending. Programs notify your guests of the flow of activities at your wedding and reception, allowing for a celebration that is more ordered.

Wedding Vendors
There are many elements that comprise a successful ceremony, and many professionals are required to help you pull off your big day. Following is a list of wedding vendors that should be arranged for your wedding day.

• Cake. The cake is a memorable centerpiece for your reception celebration. Select the right bakery who will make a cake that tastes as good as it looks. Most wedding cake vendors will have a portfolio of photographed wedding cakes for you to examine their past work, and to select a cake that matches your tastes.
• Catering. Locate the professionals you feel confident can prepare exceptional food for your guests. Consider special diet requirements that any of your wedding guests may have, such as vegetarian or other dish preferences and whether your intended caterer can accommodate these requests.
• Dress. Whether having a custom wedding dress sewn, or choosing from a selection of pre-made bridal gowns, it is important to find a bridal shop that features quality dresses and can custom fit a bridal gown professionally.
• DJs and Musicians. Dance and music are elements of happy wedding celebrations. Locate the band, DJ or musicians you feel best suit your tastes in advance to secure their services at your celebration.
• Flowers. From bridal bouquets to corsages, flowers are an integral part of wedding celebrations. Book your flower arrangements far in advance, including the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, centerpieces, headpieces, corsages, the "throw away" bouquet and other decorative flowers for your wedding.
• Limousine Service. Schedule a limousine in advance to make certain they can be available for your wedding day.
• Photographer. Selecting the best wedding photographer is extremely important, as they will capture the special moments of your wedding for you to remember always. Interview several wedding photographers and review their portfolio of work to ensure they are skilled photographers, and that the style of their photography reflects your own personal tastes.
• Videographer. Wedding videos are as important as photos when it comes to remembering the most important day of your life. A skilled wedding videographer will not only take exceptional video of your wedding, they will be able to edit the recorded segments into an appealing single movie experience that will appear professional and of excellent quality.

Wedding Ideas
Planning a wedding is more than selecting the right wedding vendors. There are a myriad of wedding ideas that you can pursue which will make your wedding day a memorable and joyous occasion. From researching wedding day traditions, to following proper etiquette, it is a good idea to research ideas for your wedding by reading wedding magazines and visiting blogs that are centered on ideas for your wedding day. Do you need some wedding ideas? See if you already know the answer to the following questions.

• Maid of Honor duties. What are the required activities of the maid of honor? What about the best man?
• Wedding speeches. Can you use any ideas on what to say during your vows? What members of your wedding party should give speeches?
• Hair Styles. Do you already know the hair style you wish to use at your wedding?
• Wedding fashion. Perhaps you could use some ideas on the wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, groomswear and other members of your wedding party?

The answers to all these questions, and other questions you haven't even thought of yet, can be discovered through researching proper wedding ideas. Researching wedding ideas is an important part of proper wedding planning.

Are you looking for ideas for your wedding? Visit bridepop.com and research wedding planning and discover many local wedding vendors to help plan your special day.

Top Tips for Choosing the Dress of Your Dreams

Choosing your bridal gown; it's possibly the most exciting event in your wedding planning process. It's finally your turn to carefully select the dress to over shadow all other dresses. Its memory will live on forever in photographs and video footage, and for one whole day you're on display for all to see. Now if that's not pressure, then I don't know what is.
It can be an overwhelming experience at the best of times, with a mind-blowing array of styles, designs and shades to choose from. You want to make sure you're going to choose the dress that will make you look and feel your absolute best on the big day, but where do you start and how do you stop yourself from straying down the wrong paths?

Enjoy your wedding dress shopping forays and don't allow the stress of decision making get to you by following this simple guide of do's and don'ts.
Do's:
· Do your research before you even think about stepping into a bridal boutique. Spend your evenings flicking through bridal magazines, wedding blogs and online mood boards. It's inevitable that you will get carried away, after all who hasn't lost an entire afternoon to the likes of Pinterest? However, it will give you an insight into what you like and what you want to avoid, allowing you to turn up to your appointments and explain to the assistants exactly what you'd like to try on. Don't leave them guessing, you'll only end up wasting both your time and theirs.
· Be open-minded. You shouldn't be afraid to try on something that may seem completely different to what you had in mind. Often the dress you picture in your head won't live up to expectations and something totally unexpected will make you feel like a glamourous movie star. If for no other reason, trying on something out of your comfort zone could show you what you definitely don't want. Bringing a helpful friend or your mother will also help your choice. This experience can be overwhelming and confusing and having someone there with a trusted opinion and your best interests at heart will make the decision a thousand times easier.
· Consider your body shape. We've all seen Gok working his magic on women up and down the country. Take a leaf out of his book and find out exactly what sort of shape you are. Whether you're petite, athletic, pear, apple or the enviable hourglass, there is most certainly something out there for everyone. Finding out the cuts and fabrics that most suit you will allow you to rule out any dresses that aren't going to flatter you and promptly choose something that will allow you to look and feel fabulous.
· Consider your skin tone. To avoid looking washed out on the big day remember that the paler your complexion, the warmer you should go in terms of colour. If you can't find the perfect shade of white, ivory or cream to suit you then don't rule out the slightly more 'out there' colours. Pale pink, faded peach and pale mochas can all be flattering and surprisingly subtle shades for bridal gowns, and if it works for you then why ever not?
· Keep in mind the location, venue and season when looking for your perfect dress. There are thousands of different styles of dresses to choose form, from classic to contemporary, shorter hemlines, longer hemlines, Grecian gowns, strapless, sleeveless and so on. Don't get carried away with an idea that just isn't going to work; a meringue style dress for example, with its heavy layers of fabric and netting, will not work at a beach wedding in Mexico where, as the bride, you will be positively melting.
· Set a budget from the get go and don't look at anything outside of your price range. This will only lead to disappoint and longing after that one thing you just can't have. There are dresses out there for every price range and if you do see something you like that you can't afford then shop around and see what similar designs others have to offer.
· Practice moving about in your dress. You don't want to be uncomfortable on your wedding day, you've done all the stressing and this should be your time to wind down. If you can't breathe properly or go to the toilet unaided, you really need to carefully consider what you're letting yourself in for.
Don'ts:
· Don't follow fashion. Trends quickly come in and out of season and what looks great today could leave you feeling horribly embarrassed tomorrow. The horror stories from brides who have chosen a dress on the basis of fashion are endless. You should feel a rush of excitement when pull out your wedding photos, not have to wince at the awful choice of dress you went with.
· Don't forget the photos. When it comes to photographs we are all our own worst enemies, how many times have you had to retake a picture because you don't like the way your hair looks or it's 'the wrong angle? You don't have this option on your wedding day so ensure your dress will look amazing in the photographic evidence by snapping yourself in it from every possible angle when you first try it on.
· Don't rush your decision making, when was the last time you made an impulse buy that you didn't regret shortly afterwards? When you think you've found your dress, go home and think about it. This could possibly be a large investment, the most you've ever spent on an item of clothing. Don't buy something unless you're one hundred percent sure you'll feel the same about it in a week, month or years' time.
· Don't forget the whole 'look'. For instance, if you're thinking about wearing your hair up on the big day then go to your appointments with your hair up, it may sound like an obvious detail but it's something that a lot of brides forget to do. Even a simple change of hair style can transform the way a dress suits you. Similarly, if you're planning on wearing heels on the day then take a pair with you. Again this can change the way a dress falls, the way it makes you feel and how comfortable you are in it.
· Don't try on too many dresses. Going overboard with your dress choices will only lead to feeling tired and frustrated and ultimately making ill-informed decisions. Limiting yourself to 3 or 4 appointments is a good idea, you're aware that you'll most probably have to try on a few duds before finding the one, but trying on too many could lead to the 'perfect dress' moment passing you by. This should be an enjoyable experience, don't ruin it in your own haste.
· Don't go on a drastic weight loss mission once your fittings have started. Altering the dress too many times will lead to it losing its shape and style and you will certainly not be added to the seamstresses Christmas card list.
I hope this guide helps you in finding your perfect dress, or at least finding out what you should and shouldn't be doing. Happy shopping ladies!

What Steps Should I Consider After I Am Engaged? - Number 1 in a Series of a Wedding Checklist

Announce your engagement. This is to notify friends and family of your wonderful news and let them know when you are planning to get married. Send out announcements and/or put a notice in the newspapers. Start a Website or a Blog. Tell the world!
Decide what type of wedding you will have. Will your wedding be formal or informal? Will your groomsmen be in suits or tuxedos? Will your bridesmaids wear matching dresses or can they pick a dress of their own choosing. Another consideration would be to decide the budget for your wedding. How much money do you have to spend? Will you be paying all or part yourselves?
Set your wedding date and make an appointment to visit clergyman. Once your date is set you can schedule an appointment with your clergyman to select the proper service.

Decide on the reception, photographer, musician and florist. Choose if your reception will be at a hotel or banquet facility or other location. Do you need a caterer? Make appointments to meet with photographers, videographers, musicians, decorators and florists. Decide if you need a wedding planner or consultant.
Make a guest list. Start your guest list and decide who will be invited to the wedding. Estimate number of guests, you will need to know whether a facility can be accommodating. Remember to include input from other important family members.
Select bridesmaids, maid (matron) of honor, best man and groomsmen. Decide who will be in the wedding party. Will you have flower girls? Ring bearers?
Select your wedding dress and what the bridesmaids will wear. Choose the wedding attire for you and your bridesmaids.
Register at the bridal registry of your favorite stores. Registering at stores helps guests find a gift that you will be sure to like and ones you need. Include this information in shower invitations.
Discuss honeymoon possibilities and if necessary visit a travel agency. Decide where you would like to go on your honeymoon. Get brochures to help you decide. Visit Websites and forums.

Judy Yublosky combines years of professional experience and a life-long practical approach to her party planning efforts.
She has consulted and planned parties and events since 1990.
Her specialties include weddings and rehearsals, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, anniversary and birthday parties, as well as corporate events and other celebrations. Her company, A-BnC Parties and More Inc, provides customers with one stop shopping
and a variety of party products including invitations, computer calligraphy, accessories, custom centerpieces, balloons, etc. Services include party planning and consulting, decorating, as well as day of event overseeing. Free Planning Guides are available on her websites. Judy works with do-it-yourselfers, offers centerpiece kits, supplies, and tools, as well as free videos and well as know-how. She continues to teach classes on making centerpieces and gift baskets. She was named "Best of the Best" in the Northwest (Chicago) Suburban Library System and a videotape is available for local checkout.

How to Know What Your Site Visitors Want From Your Website

Internet. Business. Profit. To fully integrate all of these words into a successful merging you have to know what your site visitors want from your website. When creating your sales letter, you should take into consideration closely to what your site visitors want from your website.
It is very possible that you may already know about some of the strategies I will share here, at least at the very basic level. If so, read through them anyway. You'll find that I will reveal some interesting twists and important concepts that will make those strategies even more powerful.
1) Give your prospects a free membership to a private chat room just for them. Most people want to associate with others who have the same interests. For example, you could also attract traffic to your web site by providing a free message board or chat room.
2) Tell your prospects which goals they'll achieve by ordering your product. Most people want to get over obstacles so that they can achieve their goals. For example, you could say, "Just imagine getting back into your prom dress or going out in public without being stared at."
3) Tell your prospects that you'll donate a percentage of your profits to help clean up the environment. Most people want a clean environment. For example, you could say, "I will donate $1 from every product I sell to help clean up the environment."
4) Tell your prospects what problems they have and how your product can solve them. Most people want to solve their problems. For example, you could say, "Aren't you tired of being in debt? Aren't you tried of struggling pay check to pay check? Well now you don't have too. Our product will end your debt problems forever..."
5) Use words and phrases in your ad copy like "New", "Just Released", etc. Most people want the latest and newest things in life. For example, you could say, "Just Released: A New Healthy System
For Losing 10 Pounds In 1 Week!" Another example, "Breaking News! Scientists Have Dis-
covered A Revolutionary Way To Eliminate Stress!"
Always remember that understanding a strategy fully... learning how it really works... and learning why a certain strategy is being used at a certain time, will usually multiply the effectiveness of that strategy many times over! Good Luck!

Nizzura is a full time internet marketer and earning full time income online since 2007. He have shared his journey in Internet Marketing in his blog at [http://www.fannybrides.com/]
You can also read his reviews on information products at [http://www.fannybrides.com/]
The author grants full reprint rights to this article. You may reprint and electronically distribute this article so long as its contents remain unchanged, and the author's byline remains in place.

Why Buying Mother of The Bride Outfits Online Is a Huge Risk

There are some items that you really should not risk buying online and clothing for a special occasion is one of the most important. Buying a pair of jeans from your favourite brand is not a big deal, but when you are looking to spend a lot of money on a nice expensive dress, you should really visit a specialised shop; there is just too much that could potentially go wrong when buying a dress online. For a start there is a great chance that the dress will not fit you properly, so you will need to have it altered. Then there is the possibility that the dress will not be exactly the same colour as what you see on the website; your laptop screen has a funny way of making colours appear a different shade to what they actually are. There is also the risk that either your dress will be out of stock or it could be delivered late or worse still, doesn't arrive at all.
Buying an expensive dress online is a definite no and this rule is especially applicable when looking to buy a dress for your daughter's wedding. Looking your absolute best when you are the mother of a 'bride to be' is essential so you should never consider buying your dress online, the risk is just far too great and there are no real benefits at all.
A dress for such an occasion needs to be professionally fitted, so you should always buy your dress from either a professional dressmaker or specialist wedding outfitter. The staff at these types of establishment's usually have many years of experience and can advise you on everything from style and colour of the dress to hats, bags and accessories; they will also be able to advise you on what is more likely to compliment with the bride's and bridesmaids dress, they will even advise you on the best underwear to wear so as to keep your dress looking smooth and wrinkle free.
Using a professional, experienced service will mean your dress will be tailored and fitted perfectly to your body shape; the length will be perfect, the waist will be perfect and there will be no embarrassing hems or seams or lumps or bumps, meaning you will feel comfortable all day long and worry free.
Internet shopping is becoming increasingly popular, so much so that a lot of high street retailers are closing up shop. From small items such as socks and underwear to larger items like gardening equipment and consumer electronics, online shopping is big business not only for the convenience but also for the big savings that can be made.
This advice and much more is available in throughout the internet on blogs and in specialist books. If you find yourself in the position of being The Mother of the Bride you need to do your research to keep your head above water and everyone happy.

Fashion Marketing Tips - Creating Search Engine Optimized Articles For Your Business

We've all done it: typed our "niche" into Google and prayed that our website would magically appear. This is usually the moment that we are swiftly knocked from our totem pole and realize that we are just one little ant in one gigantor anthill of fashion websites. Wouldn't it be nice to be let in on fashion marketing tips that all of the major sellers are privy too?
You've got your website up and running. You've created pieces that would give Michael Kors a run for his money. You know everyone would love your stuff --if only they could find you! You know you are amazing . . . now it's time to tell the world. With SEO articles, you can do just that.
SEO, or Search Engine Optimized Articles, are one of the best fashion marketing tips in the biz. They allow you a window to reach out to customers who are already actively seeking to make a purchase. This really gives you a leg up on your other marketing efforts. Instead of searching for customers through emails and letters, you can actually have customers looking for you!
A few years ago, you probably ran across many of those "keyword stuffed" articles. You know the ones that drive you bonkers and make no sense at all, the ones that are simply a jumble of keywords hoping to entice a click? Don't worry. I am not talking about making any of those! Good thing too - Search engines are becoming smarter every second. Programmers have actually created ways to block these types of articles from pulling up on their pages. What you will want to create is an article that is informative and helpful. Let's walk through how to create these costumer luring articles using a prom dress business as our example.

1. Choose Your Keyword
If you had a prom dress business, you would think of words that a young girl or mother might type into her search engine, i.e.; prom dresses, homecoming dresses, etc. Write your keywords on a piece of paper. You will want to fit those keywords somewhere into the first five words of your article's title, once in the first few sentences, once in the body of the article and once again in the last paragraph. The words won't always fit like a glove, but make sure that they at least have a good flow with the rest of the article. This increases your chances of being picked up by a search engine.

2. Be Helpful
Don't simply "push" your product in your articles. Many times that can have a backfiring effect. Your article doesn't have to be about purchasing a prom dress, it just has to have your keywords woven within the information. Gain your readers trust by offering her hints for her big night or tips on how to clean an "emergency punch spill" or "makeup stain" on her gown.

3. Posting Your Article
Create a special section of your site for your helpful advice and/or create a user name at a blog site and post away. These articles are multi-purpose, as you can link your site's articles into your email blasts and increase your chances of making the sale.

Real Wedding Inspiration - Janita Toerien

Surely you would agree that one couldn't help but fall in love with Janita Toerien's breath-taking designer wedding dresses! She is a designer dedicated to creating a uniquely handcrafted gown, which is elegant, sophisticated and bespoke. Her bridal gowns own a certain panache that enthrals the Bride's audience.
You had a beautiful dress designed by Janita Toerien!! Tell us more about it!
Thank you! I absolutely loved it! Stumbling upon Janita Toerien one afternoon on the Internet is what I call serendipity! I had decided to put the wedding dress shopping on hold until after the Christmas break. I immediately emailed her and she responded almost instantly! I like the fact that she kept me involved with every single detail of the dress. She even takes you fabric shopping! The whole design process was very consultative which I enjoyed. The design studio is about 5 min from my work, which meant we could do some of the fittings over my lunch breaks. Very convenient! We clicked from the first meeting and the fittings really felt like going to visit a friend. She got married two months before me, so there was always a lot of wedding talk at the fittings. I had about 4 fittings to make sure the dress fitted like a glove, which it did! I loved the buttons and the little bow at the back the most!
Choosing your photographer is always a tricky part in the wedding planning process, how did you decide on Tanya Jacobs as your photographer?
Yes, It's even trickier when you are planning a wedding in Durban being whilst living in Cape Town! We had looked at a few photographers' work online. We browsed through Tanya's blog and we liked her work. We liked how the couples she had photographed all looked relaxed and at ease! We liked her even more upon meeting her a week before our wedding! We had an engagement shoot a week before, which served as a dry run and left us completely relaxed and at ease with her for the wedding shoot.
What made you choose your wedding venue? What was your venue short list?
Braeside has the most beautiful wedding venue with perfectly manicured gardens and amazing giant trees. This provided the perfect setting for our garden ceremony and post ceremony drinks and canapés .We also didn't have to leave the venue for the pictures. The reception hall was also big enough to accommodate our 180 guests! Their in-house coordinator is present on the day to make sure everything runs as planned. Other wedding venues we considered were Collisheen Estate, Boulevard 44 Boutique Hotel, The Zunguness and Lythwood Lodge.
Where did you get most of your ideas and inspiration from?
Mostly wedding blogs. And yes, Little Pink Book is definitely one of them! A friend also introduced me to Pinterest. I have been hooked ever since!
Any hints for other brides on how to keep your wedding budget friendly?
Decide what is important to you and spend the most money on the important things. That being said the photographer should be one of the big expenses. The pictures are all you will have long after everything has been forgotten. There are a lot of great DIY ideas on the Internet. Its also important not to get carried away, to take a step back and re-assess your budget constantly. Don't be scared to ask for help!

Any time saving or organising tips?
It's never too early to start planning! The best venues and photographers get booked out as far as a year in advance! You will change your mind a couple of times on certain things but at least the important things will be sorted.
What was the 'theme' of your wedding?
We wanted the wedding to reflect our personalities. We wanted something elegant, classic, with an air of romance but completely relaxed at the same time. We wanted all elements of the big day to reflect this. We decided on classic colours of white, black, some silver with a touch of lemon. All elements of the wedding reflected our personalities from the invitations, to the décor, to the music, the cake and the outfits.
What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome while organising your dream wedding?
We decided to plan the whole wedding ourselves. So we were involved in every bit of the planning. A very brave move as we both live in Cape Town and got married in Durban. So it took a few trips to Durban, some calls, many emails and text messages to bring our dream wedding to life!
Were any of your family members or friends involved in the wedding and what was their contribution?
Yes, they were. My sister was incredibly hands-on. My family offered to help in every way possible and assisted us financially. My family-in-law was a great support and made sure the wedding stress didn't get to us. Our friends also offered to help and supported us all the way through. My girls couldn't wait to take me dress shopping from the moment we got engaged!
What were the highlights of your wedding day?
It was such an amazing day that the whole day was one massive highlight!! It was really great to see everything finally fall into place like one big puzzle. A few things that really stood out for me: My mom getting me into my dress. It was such a special moment. I will forever cherish it. My dad's face when he walked into my dressing room and saw me in my dress for the first time. Completely priceless!! And most definitely walking down the aisle towards my husband-to-be when everything came to an absolute standstill!!
What every Bride should know:
Start planning early. Don't worry about the small details. Relax. Smile, smile and smile some more. You will be the most photographed person on the day! And lastly it is your BIG day, enjoy it!
What every Groom should know:
Your best man is one of your greatest assets, he can help keep people in line and get things done. Most importantly your Bride knows best, so don't bother to argue, you'll lose anyway.

What Great Wedding Photography Is Really About

As of this writing, I've photographed more than 100 weddings. Including the weddings I've assisted friends at, I've probably photographed at close to 200. After all those parties, all those masses, and beach ceremonies, and synagoges, the moments I remember have nothing to do with the stuff and everything to do with the people.
What do I mean, "the stuff"? Today's weddings are full of "details" - the flowers, the rings, the dress, the programs, the centerpieces, the list goes on. And while that's not a terrible thing - especially photographically - all of those little details add up to your wedding album and slideshow feeling complete - they're far from the point. Are your children going to look at your album and think, "I can't believe mom wore Vera Wang!" Not a chance. But, hopefully, they will think (besides, "Look how young they were!"), "Look how much fun they had! Look how in love they were!" Hopefully generations from now, when you're gone, your family will have these heirlooms that will serve as a window into who you were and think, "I wish I'd been there, it looks like a great party celebrating two great people."

I don't remember who told me this story, but in the week leading up to my own wedding, someone mentioned that it seemed funny to celebrate weddings at the beginning, that what we should really be celebrating are the 50th anniversaries, those couples who have great stories to tell, great shared histories.
Many photographers these days shoot to be published, as though they'd been hired by a wedding magazine or blog to editorially document a wedding day. I've never felt that way, in fact, I've always felt the opposite - I shoot for my clients. If some wedding blog or magazine would like to publish a wedding I've done (and many have), that's great, but it's far from the goal, and probably the furthest thing from my mind on the wedding day. With the exception of the part of the day we've allocated to portraiture, my goal at the end of things, is for the couple to look at their gallery, their slideshow or their album and think, "I remember that happening, but I don't remember Doug being there." If that's the case, I've done my job. It sounds cheesy to say it, but the photos are about the wedding - the wedding is not about the photos.
What are my favorite parts of the wedding day? The toast by your best man when he tells the story of how you first met. The maid of honor telling stories about how you had dreamed of this day when you were little girls playing dress up. The dance with your grandfather, the moment when the groom first sees the bride in her dress, the flower girl who's having so much fun she picks up the flowers and throws them a second time.

What's my point? Forget the "details", the Pinterest inspiration boards, the "top ten wedding xxx" lists - any good professional photographer will capture the "stuff", instead focus on enjoying your day, on throwing the best party you've ever been to with the best friend you'll spend the rest of your life with and I promise you a set of photos that will make you smile every time you open your album for the next fifty years.

Weddings - How to Save Money on Your Wedding Day

With the average wedding budget running between £17,000.00 and £25,000.00 (yes it looks more if you put the 0's in) what can you do to save money on your wedding without compromising your day.
Generally the most expensive parts of the day are:

• The Church - usually costs around £500.00. Church decoration can cost anything up to £5,000.00 (believe me - I produced the video for the wedding)
• The Reception - the sky is the limit but at least £35.00 a head for the meal, £20.00 a head for the drinks plus another £25.00 a head for the evening buffet. That could be at least £80.00 for every guest - £800.00 for ten, £8,000.00 for 100.
• The dress can cost £500.00 to £2,500.00 and more.
• Bridesmaids outfits - usually at least £100.00 each.
• The cake could be £500.00 to £1,500.00.
• Photography normally costs £1500.00 to £3,000.00.
• Wedding cars again can cost from £500.00 to £1,500.00
• Stationary and postage for invitations at least £150.00

You are already well on the way to spending £17.250.00. Could that be the deposit on a fairly nice house?
So how can you save money on what should be the greatest day of your lives?
Talk to people - many suppliers will offer you special prices for "Off Peak" weddings - usually weekdays, Sundays or from October to April.
Ask for help to save money, get help from friends and family, search out any musician friends and ask them to perform, find a well spoken, confident friend who can be your toast master or master of ceremonies. Most of us know someone who is good with makeup, hairstyling, design, crafts and so on. Ask for help, most people will be more than happy to be a real part of your special day. Have a "DIY" party for your friends to help you with invitation, flowers, table decorations, favours and so on but be sure to give them some delicious snacks and drinks as a thank you.

Music. Contact your local college and ask if they have anyone who would perform at your wedding.
Make the most of EBAY and the Wonderful World Wide Web. Check out OXFAM where you could find a new or ex catwalk dress for as little as 30% of the retail price.
Church. Talk to the vicar at your church, if you are a regular church goer explain that you are on a really tight budget but want to get married in the Church and ask for his help. Do you really need the Bells?, or even a choir - find out about using a music CD, do you need a copyright or PRS licence or has the Church already got one?
Save on Church decoration by timing your day to coincide with a religious holiday or flower festival when the church will already be decorated.
Unless you have a good reason for getting married in Church consider using a Registry Office, wedding venue, Pub, Hotel, village hall and so on. Many farmers have diversified into offering facilities ranging from a field, to a designer venue with room for your reception, marquee, converted barns and so on.
Why not do the "Legal Bit" at a registry office and have a civil celebrant to conduct a relaxed and beautiful celebration of your marriage at home if you have space or at some other venue, field, tent, barn, marquee etc.
Reception. Trim your guest list, and then trim it again. You don't need to feel pressured to invite cousins, colleagues from work or distant relatives. If you don't invite anyone from a particular group none of them will feel left out. Don't let your friends bring their children or feel pressured to let single friends bring a date. Every time you add a name you could be adding £50 to £100 or even more to the cost (that's a cool £1000.00 for 10 people).
If your wedding and reception are in a hotel ask for a substantial discount on the room rate for guests.
Talk to your caterer, be honest and don't be afraid to ask whether a buffet would be cheaper than a sit down meal, find out which are the least expensive entrees, nibbles and canapés. Ask if you can supply your own booze, find out if just beer and wine would be cheaper than a full bar.
Most of the major supermarkets produce "party platters" with a selection of canapés, snacks and nibbles. The Dress. Shop around, check out the Internet. Look for designer dress sample sales - if your size 6, 8 or 10 you could find an absolute bargain but the sales only happen once a year. If you buy second hand be sure that the dress has been properly cleaned and is really goo quality you should save up to 80% on the new price. Oxfam has a specialist shop for wedding dresses some of which are new, ask them for details. Consider buying a beautiful suit or outfit that you can wear again. The so called traditional White Wedding Dress is a Victorian invention along with all those expensive designer Christmas, birthday, get well soon and wedding invitation cards that we needlessly spend so much on.
Bridesmaids outfits. Will they but there own? Something that they might wear again for a party etc. Do you know anyone who could make the outfits, especially for little bridesmaids, or flower girls.
Invitations. Save postage and printing costs by keeping them simple, print your own using one of the excellent DIY design packages available on line, leave out the RSVP card and ask guests to reply by phone or e-mail.
The Cake. Can someone make a cake or decorate a shop bought cake for you. M and S and several other stores produce really lovely wedding cakes which you can decorate with fresh fruit, flowers, chocolate etc. Why not hire a cake stand and buy some "designer cup cakes" - again check out the web for suppliers.
Having said all of this you should consider those things where you really need professional help -
Large flower arrangements and centrepieces (do you really need them?). Really?
Bride and Bridesmaid bouquets as photographers we see far too many fall apart on the day, usually because the flowers have just been stuck into oasis foam without wiring.
Your wedding Dress - see above.
Your wedding cake - again see above.
Catering - see above.
Photography - Obviously as I make my living from wedding photography I think that everyone should have a professional wedding photographer. I genuinely hear all sorts of horror stories about the pictures that "didn't come out", blurred, dodgy backgrounds, so if you want more information check out my other blogs.

Article by Mike Watts Photographer
http://www.fannybrides.com/

Wedding Blog

Using a Wedding Blog to Help You Plan Your Wedding
Your big day can approach quickly. Many women are overwhelmed with planning the necessities of their wedding. The good news is there is a fantastic method for getting help planning and organizing your wedding. The solution is to use a wedding blog that has tips, guides, lists of wedding vendors and other information necessary for you to plan your big day.
A blog is the perfect format for organizing the wedding information you need, with personalized posts from former and current brides that have gone through what you are currently experiencing. Following are many of the wedding services and vendors a blog for weddings could help you to organize.
Finding the Right Wedding Vendors
Your big day would not be complete without cherished items provided by wedding vendors. Valuable items such as your cake, floral arrangements and bridal dress.

• Bridal Gowns: When it comes time to walk down the aisle, every bride needs to look fabulous. Choose fantastic gowns for your bridesmaids.


• Floral Arrangements: Flowers provide an excellent environment for your nuptials and reception.


• Cake: A wedding cake is the centerpiece of several photographs and traditions associated with your ceremony. Find confection stores that make beautiful wedding cake designs that reflect your tastes.

Finding the Best Wedding Services Locally
Several services are crucial for a proper nuptial. Photos and videography will capture the special moment forever. A planner can assist you in scheduling out many important events connected to the wedding.

• Photographers: This special day occurs only once. Capture this special occasion by using the best wedding photographers available locally and preserve this joyous event on film.


• Videographers: Recall every moment of your wedding through the years by filming with the skills of a professional wedding video photographer.


• Planners: These professionals will make your life easier when you locate the right planner available in your local area.

Thoughtful Ideas for Your Big Day
A wedding blog is a wonderful resource that can help you in discovering unique ideas that can make your special day memorable and talked about for some time. This is just what you should find at the best wedding blog. Understand the important issues you need to focus on, and things you should avoid. Know the average cost using our wedding cost guide, that includes videos and photo, your reception, floral arrangement, favors and gifts, the nuptials and attire. Receive interesting ideas for your special day and read important news about getting wed.
Finding a Wedding Blog
Finding the best wedding blog is easy, simply go to Google and search for "wedding blog"! Or you can utilize the blog discussed in the author resource box below.

Visit our wedding blog and prepare for your upcoming wedding. Select the best wedding vendors [http://www.fannybrides.com/] for your special day from our wedding vendor locator.

How to Find Wedding Inspiration and Your Wedding Style

If you are like most brides you have been looking forward to your wedding day since you were 10. You have probably imagined your perfect dress, your perfect cake and walking down the aisle with your perfect person too. There is no question every bride wants her wedding to be an unforgettable day, a magical time, and a perfect event that will inspire your guests to weep tears of joy. But how do you achieve this perfection? Well, it certainly helps to start with inspiration. Here are a few tips to figure out your wedding style.
Tip 1: Magazines. Take a trip to the drug store and grab a bunch of wedding and fashion magazines. Thumb through them and start imaging how you can fit some of these ideas into your ideal wedding venue, dress, bridesmaids dresses, and reception. Start a wedding inspiration book or binder. Cut out any images or pictures you find inspiring and glue them into your inspiration book. After you have several pages in your binder you will start to see a style or pattern. Do you love pinks or rock and roll ideas or vintage themes? You can use these themes to show your wedding planner what you like. You can also use this binder to help you chose your venue and flowers and even your dress!
Tip 2: Wedding Blogs. Spend some time on the internet. Check out the best wedding blogs and make tabs or bookmarks of all the real weddings and wedding ideas you love. Most wedding planners have blogs that are great too. You can also copy out pictures that you like and print them out to add to your inspiration book. You can find bridesmaids gifts, wedding planning ideas, decorating ideas, photography poses, cake designs, seating arrangement design and more. There is no limit to the ideas you will find in wedding blogs and websites.
Tip 3: Wedding Expos. Take a trip to your local wedding expo. Explore the different vendors and get an idea of which vendors you feel most connected to and would like to use. Make sure to talk to everyone - get an idea for their style and personalities and don't forget to grab a bunch of brochures and business cards for later. Once you have your inspiration book & have gathered a few ideas of what you want your perfect day to be like, spend some time looking at your local vendors websites and make a few appointments.

Tip 4: What do you love? Inspiration for your wedding does not have to come from a specific blog or magazine. You may be inspired by your childhood beach house, your favorite movie/book or even your favorite far away place. Colors and design can based around any idea you love. For example, if you love the beach and ocean you can choose aquas, teals and sandy beiges as your colors. Incorporating beach glass, sand and shells to your table design could also be an option. Bridesmaids dresses could also be in shades or blues and bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts could be really cool shades.
You can find inspiration for your wedding just about anywhere, it is just a matter of taking the time to figure out what you like. Once you have a few ideas of inspiration you like, spend some time with your wedding planner and discuss together how you can create your dream wedding. Your wedding planner can help you find the best local vendors, venues, photographers, videographers, etc.
This is a day you will remember for the rest of your life, so make sure to take the time to figure out exactly what you want. Try not to get discouraged with too many outside opinions. And most importantly, don't forget, this is your day!!

Best Day Ever is Hawaii's leading event planner. Let us take your wedding or event from ordinary to extraordinary. We are committed to helping you create the "best day ever"!

Start Your Own Wedding Blog

So you live here and your fiancé lives five states away. Or, you both live in the same area, but only speak to your families through IM as the fastest way to communicate with them. With the distances between everyone, it's simply practical to set up your very own personal wedding blog to keep everyone abreast of details leading up to your nuptials. Then your excited mother, your nosey aunt and all your friends will know where and when the wedding ceremony and reception will be, what to get you, and what to wear, among other important stuff.
While most wedding blogs are informative how-to's that address much of the what-when-where (and sometimes even the why), they are often generic blogs brides like you would read to get tips and ideas for your wedding. Your personal wedding blog is different; it's a planning blog, as well as a venue for announcements and cries for help. You can be as elaborate or as simple as you want, Either sign up for a free blog (with blogger or wordpress or livejournal - you choose what works for you) or register for your own domain and build your own blogsite from hard code html, which you might enjoy if you actually built websites for a living. Keep in mind, it may also cost you more money paying for the domain name and webspace. Whichever way you go, you can upload pictures and have personal message boards for interactive commentary from your friends and family.
Your choices of wedding reception hall, wedding ceremony designs, and other ideas can be backed up with second, third, and fourth opinions as you can post photos on your wedding blog and ask your friends and family for comments. This will help narrow down your choices and will make your family and friends feel more involved with your big date. They can also suggest wedding suppliers in the area and post their own experiences, giving insights useful not only to yourself but to other friends as well.

The wedding blog is also a great coordination site. You can set up a message board which will serve as an official online RSVP. You can also post announcements about color, motif, dress and any changes to these, as well as downloadable maps and directions to the wedding ceremony and reception. You can also set up an online wedding registry, which several stores have already been providing, and even deliver, to your new home.
Finally, some wedding blogs out there start out as personal planning, pre-wedding blogs and are maintained after the wedding, as the bloggers enjoy commentary on other weddings and give their own tips and lists of things-I-should-have-done. You could end up with the same, also. Happy blogging!

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors. They offer many popular gift ideas such as place card holders, practical wedding favors, and bridesmaid gifts. For more information about cheap wedding favors, wedding planning, or wedding reception ideas, visit their website.

Choosing a Mother of the Bride Dress For 2016

This year turning Mom into the Mother of the Bride comes with one important prerequisite. Talk to the bride. She'll appreciate you listening to her input for years to come. Don't be afraid of this exercise - there are plenty of color and style options to accommodate not only your look but her preferences as well this year. You might even be pleasantly surprised with what you discover and relieved to have a place to start. But don't start shopping yet. Next consider the key attributes of color, length, style and body, which when combined successfully will ensure you and your dress are a spectacular hit on the bride's big day.
Color
The two aspects of color that you want to reconcile are simply 1) the color theme of the wedding and 2) the colors that looks good on you. En vogue dress colors especially for Mother of the Brides this year (and especially for outdoor weddings) include "apricot, peach, lemon and golden olive hues" reports Hanna of Here Comes the Guide. If the wedding is taking place later in the year, get more vivid with amethyst, mahogany, or rose. If none of these colors will do, then take your queue from the bride, who may elect to step into 2016's trend for lots of bold, saturated colors like green, lavender or blue, but especially blue, with all of its brilliant peacock splendor including deep violet blue, clear bright blue, green blue, cobalt blue, turquoise, and palace blue. If the bride's theme is blue, but blue doesn't work on you, trying choosing from among the many delightful accent colors you will see in a wedding regardless of its color theme, like champagne, cream, bone, taupe, tan, silver, shimmering light gold, or beige
Selecting colors around a wedding's theme is only the first step. Ask also what colors look good on you. If you are unsure, it's best to keep two or three neutral colors in mind while you decide what looks best against your natural coloring. As you shop, hold clothing items of differing colors up to your face and judge for yourself. You can even go so far as to invest in a professional style guide, like the ones available at istylista. When you look back on wedding photos years from now, you will not regret the investment!
In all cases, stay away from white, ivory, and black. And interestingly, even though blue is "in" this year, one of its shades definitely is not - navy. Don't be caught wearing it! Just remember to pick a color that coordinates well with the wedding theme or its bridal attendants - you don't have to match exactly! - and one which looks great on you at the same time.
Length
The Mother of the Bride's dress length should be similar to the bridesmaids' dresses, within Mom's comfort zone. Tea length (a gown hemmed to end at the shin) becomes an acceptable compromise when bridesmaids' dresses measure LA knee length or shorter.
Style
Continuing the trend from last year, stores are stocking Mother of the Bride dresses in youthful styles. No more stodgy lines and drab tones. This is Mom's year for satisfying a little chicly red carpet fantasy of her own! Take your queue from designing leaders like Karen Miller, Scala, Ursula and Cachet. Also look to bride styles for inspiration, who will be more angelic this year in soft fabrics like chiffons and drapings. But don't go overboard. You'll be safe in simple, graceful lines with little frill and appropriate accessories which compliment, rather than compete with, the bride's wedding dress. A perennial favorite for Mom, especially petite moms, is the two piece skirt suit. These separates are popular because each piece can be ordered in different sizes for a more tailored fit.
Your Body
Be comfortable in your own skin, and in your dress. This means understanding your body shape, your natural colors, owning your age, and putting a dash of your personality into your ensemble. iStylista has an excellent blog article on this topic which you don't want to miss.

The author is F Kapri of Venus Shoe, a unique online store specializing in sexy and exotic designer shoes and boots, and Fifi's Lingerie [http://www.fannybrides.com/], a sexy leather lingerie store for sexy men and women.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses

If you have been a bridesmaid before, it is likely you have heard the phrase "You can just shorten it and wear it again!" It is also likely that your dress was donated, sold, or shoved into the back of your closet, never to be "shortened" or "worn again". Today's brides want their bridesmaids to look great, and for good reason - you love them, and they are a reflection of you on your perfect day! You want your friends, sisters, and relatives to feel happy and confident in their dresses. Here are some of the latest trends from bridal magazines, fashion websites, wedding fashion blogs and more - to keep you in the know on what is HOT!

You choose the color, let them choose their style! This is a great way to keep everyone looking their best. Not everyone can pull off a strapless dress or fill out a halter top, so let them decide! This way, everyone wins - you get to choose the color you like, your girls look great, and they have a dress that they may ACTUALLY want to wear again!
Letting them choose their jewelry saves money and can look great! If, for instance, you choose pearls, one bridesmaid may have a short string of antique pearls from her grandmother and another may have a funky pearl bracelet she bought recently. This saves you and your bridesmaids money and gives the girls an organized, but not too uniform, look.
Short dresses are all the rage! Want to find a way to be sure your bridesmaids will be able to wear their dresses again? Skip the post-wedding dress cutting and get short dresses! Now, we aren't talking thigh-length - tea & cocktail lengths are both classy and fun! J
Feminine touches make a splash! In magazines, on the runways, and everywhere you look are girly-chic items. Bring the hot trend to your wedding party by choosing frocks with flirty sashes, pretty lace, and dazzling beading. Try it on their feet as well - shoes with bows by the ankle or toe are abundant!
Latest neckline craze: one-shoulder! From movie stars on the red carpet to models on the catwalk, one-shoulder dresses are plentiful. Try it out on your girls; this neckline looks good on nearly EVERY body type!

3 Ways To Find The Best Priced Bridesmaid Dresses

If your best friend has recently asked you to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, then you may want to start looking for a dress to wear. For many women, being asked to be a bridesmaid is a big deal and usually, the first thing that pops in the mind would be the dress. Finding something like this to wear is never easy. However, these 3 ways to find the best price bridesmaid dresses should help you out.
Long before the wedding date, start shopping for that attire. You should not wait for the date to approach, because then, you will be in a hurry to get the perfect one and that can equal a disaster. When you are in a hurry, you may not be able to get a cheap dress simply because you do not have enough time to locate one.
Giving yourself enough time to get the perfect attire is a great way to help you save money and this is something that many fail to realize. Since you are shopping early, you will be able to look for sales. If you do not get a sale on the day you go shopping, and then go shopping the next week. Shop every week, until you finally come across that deal you have been looking for.
Tell Everyone - When you find out that you will hold this position in a wedding, you need to let those close to you know that you are searching for attire to wear to the wedding. This way, you will have an army helping you get great attire at a great price.
The Internet - The Internet is a great place to shop. In fact, it is one of the best places to shop, because there are so many deals on there.
Not only are there deals, but there are many different options. If you locate a dress that you like, but wish you had it in another color, you can turn to the Internet and surely, you will be able to get the same style in a different color. Online, you will also find many different blogs on wedding attire that may help you out.
Thrift Stores - You should never be ashamed of buying something like this used. If buying something like this means you will save money, then go for it. Many times, the clothing has only been wore one time and will look as if it is brand new. There are many second-hand stores out there. You may want to speak with the owner or manager of the store and tell them that you are looking for some attire.
Those are 3 ways to find the best price bridesmaid dress. Start by telling everyone about the good news, then start looking on the Internet. If you do not like the idea of shopping online, then go to a thrift store in your area. In the end, as long as you follow this advice, you will get big discounts on the attire.

Shop online for a wide selection of affordable mother of the bride dresses and other formal dress. You will find it here.

Bridesmaid Dresses - Creative Ideas For Coordinating Colors

bridesmaid dressesThere are several very large moments that can take place during the life of an individual. Things like getting that first car when you are in high school. Or something such as obtaining that college degree that you worked so diligently and hard to attain after years of schooling. Another big life-changer would be buying that new dream house you have so desired (which many experts say is one of the biggest purchases that anyone can make during their lifetime). In par with these enormous and life-changing situations is the facet of getting married. There are so many things that go into effectively planning a wedding that the sheer prospect of it can seem a tad bit overwhelming.
Perhaps one of the most important factors (at least from the eyes of the bride and the wedding planner) is the proper coordination of bridesmaid dresses. Because the last thing that you want is for your wedding photos to not come out the way that you desired because the colors are too conflicting with the bridesmaid dresses and the rest of the wedding party. Thankfully, there are some really easy and fun ways that you can go about coordination bridesmaid dresses that will net you the wedding of your dreams, and some great photos as well!

Centering the Focus around the Bride's Outfit
A good rule of thumb is to start with the gown that the bride is planning on wearing, and then centering your color coordination of bridesmaid dresses upon that theme. In most cases, the bride will be wearing a white gown. This will work wonders for your selection and options, because white is the absence of all colors. This means that if the bride is wearing white, your options as far as colors of the bridesmaid dresses are literally endless and open.
Determining the Theme of the Wedding is Pivotal
Sometimes the bride won't wear a white gown, or will opt for a different approach to the wedding theme. In this case, you will want to assure that you have a good mind as to what the theme of the wedding is. For example, say a couple is being wed in Hawaii and they want a traditional 'Aloha' theme. Then bridesmaid dresses that offer an orange, robust and tropical flare may be in order, as opposed to, say, red velvet bridesmaid dresses.
Pastels are Back in Style
Some people say that pastels are old fashioned and bleak for bridesmaid dresses, but in reality they are sassy, stylish and very sexy. Since the bride is, in most cases, going to be adorned with the classic white wedding gown, incorporating pastels like light blues, pinks and oranges can actually sit very nicely when paired against the white of the wedding gown. Additionally, such colors can really make the bridesmaids stand out in the wedding photos as well.
Velvets and Creamy Colors are Dreamy Combinations
Another great option is velvet and creamy-colored dresses. Such attire easily culminates the grand appearance that you are looking for with your wedding (and the photos you will have following the ceremony), and they go great with the flower arrangements as well; especially if you opt for colorful flowers like red or white roses. Since red goes so well when set against a white wedding gown, you can't go wrong here. The same is true with creamy velvet bridesmaid dresses that will make the bride shine in her gown, while not creating a friction of color schemes.
Complementing Flower Decorations with Outfit Selections
Once you have arrived at a decision as to what bridesmaid dresses you are going to choose, you want to make sure that you select the right flowers to go with them. This spans a large gambit, in fact. From the flower arrangements that are set on the altar or the reception tables, all the way to the corsages that will be worn by the wedding party. Make sure that you look around and find a good color combination for the flower arrangements first, and then you can have a solid foundation as to what bridesmaid dresses colors you can opt to go with for your special day.
Easy Ways to Find More Creative Ideas for Color Coordination
Color coordination can be simple for some people, but can be cumbersome and puzzling for others. If you find yourself in a real pickle, or just entirely undecided, take a deep breath-because you can easily also find out countless coordination tips simply by looking around online. Thanks to the many great online stores as well as wedding blogs that are out there, you can get a really good idea of coordination merely by looking at stock photos, or of photos that have been taken of other people's weddings. In this manner, you can arrive at the best conclusion for how you want to go about choosing the bridesmaid dresses and their color coordination for your wedding.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Choosing bridesmaids' dresses can sometimes be as stressful as choosing your own wedding dress! Or even more so if you have picky bridesmaids, or ladies of varying sizes and shapes... How do you keep everyone happy and make sure all your bridesmaids look great?
First off - have a get together with all your bridesmaids, preferably after you've bought your wedding dress to talk about styles and colours. Have some magazines or websites to browse through and gauge whether everyone has similar or vastly differing ideas! Of course, the final decision is usually up to you - it is your wedding after all - but the whole process is made much easier by a little cooperation and flexibility.
If you also have flower girls, you may want to be a little more flexible and allow just plain white flower girl dresses with a splash of colour added in the form of ribbons, shoes or flowers. Since many bridesmaids are now expected to buy their own dresses and/or shoes, bear in mind people's budgets and the overall cost of an outfit.
Some things to think about when deciding on bridesmaid's dresses are:
Customise - have fun and let your bridesmaids show their personality by differentiating with accessories - perhaps different colours or styles of cardigan/shawl, jewellery, tights, bags or shoes? You chose your bridesmaids for who they are, let them express themselves and you'll be surrounded by happy friends.
Colour - make sure the colour you pick suits all the bridesmaids' different skin tones. The wrong shade can wash out or clash with complexion or hair colour. It's great to choose a colour that complements your wedding gown and the groom/groomsmen's outfits too. You can continue this colour scheme throughout your entire wedding decor and tie everything together.
Style - different styles suit different body shapes, whether your bridesmaids are apple shaped, pear shaped, hourglass, tall or short! A-line and empire-waist dresses suit the majority of body shapes, and fabrics like jersey and loose, flowing materials will flatter most figures. An uncomfortable bridesmaid is an unhappy bridesmaid - think about your friends' feelings before you squeeze them into something totally unsuited.
Variety - there's no reason why all your bridesmaids have to wear the exact same dress. You can often get the same colour dress with different necklines, straps and styles so that you can adapt to fit each body shape. Straight and scoop necklines suit most body shapes. Or sew/buy infinity dresses (gowns that are made from a basic with long pieces of fabric attached that can be configured into many different straps, bodices and styles) so that each bridesmaid can truly be unique.
Don't forget to buy your bridesmaids a special present for helping you out on your special day - traditionally this tends to be a bracelet or necklace that they can wear on the day, or some sort of keepsake to remind them of your wedding.

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