5 Ways to Save a Marriage

Submitted By: Wan Ibrahim

Whether you have been married for a brief period of time or many years, you want your marriage to be the best it can be. However, there might be some misunderstandings and bitterness which may give rise to serious difficulties in your marriage.
A divorce affects the personal and social lives of both the partners and not to mention, the children. There is no such thing as painless divorce. If you watch the movies War of the Roses and Kramer vs. Kramer, you know what I meant. You do have a choice, go through the pain of divorce or do something to save your marriage. Here are 5 ways to save a marriage that you can effectively use to reconstruct your marriage.
First of all, acknowledge the marriage problem exist, be honest with yourself. Begin by asking yourself what problems you and your spouse encountering. You should be able to identify what difficulties need to be resolved and what you wish to accomplish. Share your thoughts and feelings, and request your spouse to share hers or his. This will help not only in making progress toward finding solutions, but it will also open up the lines of communication.
Many people make a mistake when they took the task to save their marriage. They neglect the wonderful things which were there at the beginning of their marriage, or even prior to their marriage. Placing some focus on these things is the second ways to save a marriage. What qualities did you find the most appealing in your spouse? What kind of goals, plans and dream did you both share? It quite likely that you’ll find the factors which influenced your decision to marry still exists.
The third important factor or ways to save a marriage is time. Nowadays we often hear about "quality time". However in many cases, it means trying to squeeze as much as possible into a small amount of time allocated for it. The pre-scheduled quality time is simply not enough. Granting your spouse your undivided attention is the factor which will help this very important person to realize that she or he still take the center-stage in your life.
Being able to recognize that no two people can reasonably be expected to agree on everything is the fourth ways to save a marriage. The differences come about from a person's background and upbringing. Perhaps you and your spouse did not fully acknowledge your differences in the early stage of your relationship; or perhaps you felt that time and love would solve that problem. If this has become a problem in your marriage, it can basically be resolved by compromise or by "agreeing to disagree".
The last tip of 5 ways to save a marriage is about having boundaries. The happiest marriage is one where clear boundaries exist and are consistently respected by both spouses and those around them. There are a numbers of boundaries which are essential for a healthy and happy marriage. For example certain things, such as sex, should remain between the two of them and not "up for discussion" with other people. If there is disagreement between you and your spouse, it is unfair to attempt to get others on your side. You must learn and respect that there is a difference between "yours", "mine" and "ours".
You may adopt one of these ways to save marriage and turn your marriage into a lifelong love.

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Wedding Centerpiece and Decoration Ideas

Submitted By: Janet R.

A wedding is an opportunity to gather family and friends in a formal or non-formal occasion. They were also gathered to enjoy the celebration with festive during the reception. Wedding reception can be created according to the theme of the wedding, a beautiful setting can be created by decorating the reception venue with excellent floral arrangements, outstanding table settings, exquisite centerpieces, wedding favors and other attractive touches.
Decorating the reception venue is one of the most essential factor to any form of wedding. By incorporating outstanding decors and accessories, big enhancement can surely create an impressive appeal. However, before deciding what decors to incorporate, you need to consider some factors like if it is an outdoor venue such as vineyard or garden reception, your decoration will be far different from an indoor venue like a church hall.
Also, you'll need to consider paying attention to the table settings, tablecloths, centerpieces and silverwares. Several choices for table settings can be incorporated according to the theme of your wedding. Also tablecloths, centerpieces and silverwares should be checked out in detail. All and all, the reception venue should allow your guests to enjoy perhaps a dance, a comfortable sitting arrangement, and an awesome environment with perfectly matched accessories and decorations.
Wedding decorations such as centerpieces are ideal fascination at the reception. There are lots of centerpieces selection to choose from, it could be a flower arrangement, scented candles, luminaries, petals, place card holder, favor boxes and the like. These decorations can be doubled as wedding favors and keepsakes. Example of these decorations are a Topiary Photo Holder/Place Card Holder, A Flower Pot Place Card Holder Favor, Palm Tree Favor Box, Heart Cake Top, Mini Favor Dish, Wedding Jewels Table Decorations and more.
Also, a tall wedding cake adds accent to the spirit of celebration. Whether or not it is an intimate reception with a lesser number of guests, a tall cake can still be requested to accentuate a centerpiece. A tall wedding cake can be done by a baker who has the expertise to do fake cake layers with the same frosting as to the rest of the layers which no one can notice the difference.
As much as the decorations and favors should go with the wedding theme, in case there is a minimal problem, then there are some great option that can be selected to incorporate into the overall appeal of your wedding. One of the most ideal decoration to match any type of wedding theme. Candles can help create excellent atmosphere, their selection vary the they burn and the time for which they last. Example, for short reception party, small votive candles are enough. But if it is a luncheon dinner with dance, tall tapers or large pillar candles are better.
So, to prepare your wedding reception, you need to be meticulous as you can. A choice of wedding decors, party favors and accessories can make or break your entire wedding day. These decorating ideas can be also applied during pre-wedding parties like bachelor party and bridal shower party, where decorations, accessories, bridal favors, wedding gifts for guests can add accent to the party. These items may be minor wedding considerations but they can make a major difference and impression to all.

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Wedding Invitations: Adding Your Special Touch

Submitted By: Chris Morton

During your wedding planning endeavors, you will face having to choose your wedding invitations. There are so many things to choose from: style, color, typeface, handmade, printed, etc. Yet most brides and grooms want to add their own special touch to different areas of their weddings, and the wedding invitations are a good place for them to start. So what are some unique touches you can add to your invitations, whether handmade or pre-printed?

Photographs
One way that you can add your own unique touch to the wedding invitations is to print them over a photograph of the two of you. The invitation wording can be printed directly on the picture or on a piece of vellum overlay. With the specialty printers available today this can be done on your own or by a professional printer.

Special Sayings
Traditional wedding invitation wording is what most couples opt to use for their wedding invitations, because they want to convey a simple elegance. However, there are special sayings that can add a touch to even the most elegant wedding invitation. The saying will convey to your guests the love your have for each other and the overall tone of the wedding.

Ribbons, Flowers, and Bows

Sometimes you want to make your wedding invitations really stand out, and adding three-dimensional texture allows you to do so. Some brides and grooms choose weddings that add ribbons or bows in order to put their own special touch on the invitations. Others add items like bows or flowers.

Jewels
There is a recent trend in wedding invitations…adding jewels. From rhinestones to real diamonds, many couples are opting to add a little “bling” to their wedding invitations. Some invitations are rolled and placed in a jeweled holder while others have the jewels glued directly on the invitation. These extra touches can be pricey, but the gemstones create an unforgettable impression.

Color
Many people have gotten the traditional wedding invitation that was a white paper with black print. However, today’s color printers and specialty papers allow couples planning their weddings to choose from a wider array of color prints and inks. You may opt for a simple white or ivory invitation, but you can add your own touch by doing the print in silver, gold, blue, or red. You may opt for colored paper and print the wording in white or silver. You may even choose a print on your paper. The availability of so many options means you can easily create your own unique wedding invitation.

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Tips for Planning the Perfect Military Wedding

by: GiGi Rena Rogers

The day has finally arrived. After all these years waiting for the right one, you finally find that special someone. Soon a marriage proposal comes your way, one that will surely change life forever. You finally get the opportunity to plan the wedding you’ve dreamed about since childhood. All the plans begin falling in place, when suddenly things change dramatically. Your soon-to-be spouse learns that they are being deployed oversees. All the hopes and dreams for happiness appear lost, at least for the moment. You still long to get married, but there is so much to do, and so many unique circumstances that other couples don’t face. From finding a chaplain to the financial costs of planning a rush wedding, the task can seem daunting.
There are others too who have lived the military life from day one and are now proud to be a part of it themselves having enlisted. Having grown up with parents in the military, changing from base to base, and city to city, the couple longs for a military wedding that brings with it the traditions and pride lived their entire life. Yet, as everyone in the military knows, there are many tried and trued rules and regulations on doing things right. Planning a wedding and making sure to stay within all the guidelines can be overwhelming. The bride needs answers on how to do it and these answers aren’t found in the pages of the numerous bridal magazines or bridal books out there. But hope is not lost.
As everyone knows, there are vast differences from a civilian wedding and a military wedding. The ceremony may be held at the base/post chapel. The officiant would be a military chaplain. The Arch of Sabers or Swords (dependent on the branch of service) is used. And special attention needs to be placed on the formalities of the invitations and seating arrangements.
To help plan a military wedding, here are some tips:
#1 - Buy Wedding Insurance. Even if the couple does not choose to have the traditional Military Wedding, insurance (unless they are having a quick small civil ceremony at the courthouse) will save headaches and cover the loss of deposits or money due to changes or cancellations. When marrying into the military, the never-ending changes of deployment dates – quick deployments, delayed deployments, and extended deployments are common. It’s best to plan ahead and be safe. Take this example: The date has been set for a year out. The deposits have been paid and invitations prepared. Then a set of orders arrives for the bride or groom that reads, “Report to your duty station 19 May 2007. Unfortunately, the wedding date has been set for 25 May 2007.” You now have to change everything and re-order invitations. Unless working with very military friendly vendors, there is a real risk of losing deposits. Insurance is a way to safeguard against this.
# 2 - Learn the language. For a new bride that is marrying into the service, there is a whole new set of lingo to learn. Among the most common would be the formalities of the Arch-is it Swords or Sabers? The answer - Sabers are used for Air Force and Army. Swords are used for Coast Guard, Marine Corps and the Navy. National Guard and Reserve go by the same etiquette and regulations of their service branch (i.e. Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Reserve, etc). Also, the majority of military personnel do not own a Sword or Saber. However, they can contact the Chaplain, normally he/she will have these for this use or his/her Commander will. There are also so many other terms you want to become familiar with to be knowledgeable.
#3 - Question often asked -- Can the bride’s “swat” with the sword be omitted from the ceremony? Answer – For traditions sake, it is better left in the ceremony. When the Arch has been formed, the bride and groom will then pass through the Arch of Saber or Swords (this symbolizes the welcome and safe transition into a new life together as a couple). The couple pauses as the last two men lower their sabers or swords in front of the bride and groom and then at that time the man to the right will then lightly “swat” the bride of on the rear and say “Welcome to the Army,” or the appropriate branch of service. This step should only be omitted if the bride is the service member.
#4 – It’s important to know the proper seating arrangements for guests and also where the bride and groom should stand, including who stands on which side. The standing arrangement is determined by whether the service member being an officer or being enlisted. A guest list will have Commanders, other Officers within the unit, and peers. It’s important to know the proper seating for guests and also for the receiving line. All persons that are associated with a service member (i.e. their Commanders, Officers and peers within the unit or office) should be invited to the wedding. When seating the groom or bride’s Commander and his/her spouse, they are to be seated with the family of the bride or groom, whichever group they represent. Commanders are usually seated in the front row when the bride or groom’s parents cannot be in attendance. All other higher-ranking Officers are to be seated directly behind the family of either the bride or groom.
Sounds overwhelming doesn’t it? Well now with the help of an innovative website, Military Weddings at http://www.military-weddings.com/, you can get all the answers you need. MilitaryWeddings.com is a complete wedding planning site solely for the Military community. It provides everything to plan a Military wedding from engagement to honeymoon including who to contact in the Military installation; protocol and etiquette in seating arrangements; writing announcements; sending out invitations (the correct way of addressing an envelope to commanding officer); the ceremony itself; Military chaplain services and whether to use the base or post chapel. Plus, a complete shopping center for your entire wedding needs including stationery, gifts, bride and groom basics, and everything needed for that special day.
Planning your wedding can be fun and exciting with the right tools. Stop by today and enjoy a wedding that you can remember for years to come.

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15 Easiest Wedding Reception Table Decor Ideas Ever!

By Krista Dunk

Are you looking for some really easy, simple to set up wedding reception table decoration ideas? You've come to the right place. Everyone wants their reception tables to look great and match their overall wedding theme. But, your tablescapes don't need to give you a headache or break the bank. You are going to be quite busy the day of your wedding, so you need quick, easy centerpieces! Many of our ideas are quite affordable, as well as no fuss!
1. Seasonal fruit in decorative bowls or baskets. Did you know that you can spray paint inexpensive bowls to match your color scheme if necessary? Go "green" - Give guests beautiful centerpieces, and snacks at the same time! Beautiful color, and no waste.
2. Tulle fabric table runner with floral items or arrangements. This combination can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like, and will easily adapt to any color scheme. Use your bridal party bouquets as some of the floral accents - especially at the bride & groom's 'head table'.
3. Pre-made floral arrangements. Probably the most simple, yet beautiful way to spruce up any table. Short or very tall are best for conversation. Be cautious of tipping with very tall, slender floral arrangements on small tables & outdoors.
4. Shells, candles & sand. Gorgeous possibilities await with this summer wedding centerpiece idea. Do a practice layout before the wedding day and take a picture of it when you get it just right (so your helpers know how you want the elements arranged). Have a shoe-box sized plastic bin available for quick clean up of the sand after the reception.
5. Fabric napkins, stemware & votives. Don't underestimate the simple, crisp beauty of glass and candlelight! Beautiful, inexpensive & eco-friendly!
6. Petals and tea light candles. Arrange them into swirling shapes or randomly spread them out for a soft, easy look. Use buds or whole flowers too (just the heads) if you like! Make a heart shape with the tea lights on round tables.
7. Stemware, petals & wine bottles or sparkling cider. Set up in the middle of round tables or in clusters at rectangular tables, this combination would be both practical and lovely. Go "green". Could be set up on a colored cloth.
8. Fresh cut greenery, candy canes & candles. So easy, fragrant and fun for holiday weddings! Use white Christmas light strings if your venue doesn't allow candles to be lit.
9. Pre-made wreaths (lay flat) and candle. Not just for the holidays, wreaths can be created to match any theme and color scheme. Simply lay them out! Works especially well for round tables. Wreathes also make nice gifts afterwards for the bridal party or for other helpers as well.
10. River rocks. Go "green" - Consider using polished, river rocks as decor. As soon as your event is done, bring them back to nature... Use a large size and have guests write inspirational words on them as keepsakes for you!
11. River rocks, bowls & floating flowers. Easy to assemble and has a very natural look. Can easily match any color scheme. Eco-friendly centerpiece!
12. Mirror, confetti and candle(s). Adding petals also would soften this look. Very easy to set up and adds lots of shimmery color and light to your tables.
13. Balloon bunches. Lots of bang for your buck! You'll need something heavy to anchor them down, although you can purchase them with plastic heart-shaped 'anchors' on each balloon. Make sure strings are kept long to foster conversation at tables.
14. Candelabras with ivy. Classic and so simple to set up. Ivy could be fresh cut or silk. Candles can match your color scheme. Candelabras can be rented!
15. Fresh cut flowers in vases. Use seasonal flowers from your yard, a friend's yard, florist, or grocery store. SO simple to set up and clean up. Give the flowers to your guests as they leave the reception so they can be put to good use afterward. Ask your venue, florist or caterer if they have vases.
Krista Dunk, Founder & CEOhttp://www.nwweddingplace.com/"Helping Pacific Northwest Couples Plan Their Dream Weddings & Successful Marriages™"Olympia, WARead our Blog at: http://www.nwweddingplace.blogspot.com/Copyright 2008

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Personalized Wedding Favor - Special Wedding Guest's Gifts

By Janet Verra

Another great and unique option of thanking your wedding guests is by giving them personalized wedding favors. Also, many couples agree to give such favors to extend their heart-felt gratitude for the support and effort rendered by their wedding participants, including their families, friends and colleagues. Gifts for wedding attendees are known as wedding favors. Personalized favors in particular, are most popular souvenir selections made by brides and grooms to show how thankful they are to have their circle of friends share their precious time with them on their big day. However, searching for personalized favors for your wedding is quite challenging. Though there are a plethora of personalized items widely available, the real challenge is how to find the ideal favor to fit into your wedding.
Consider your wedding theme, your theme can help and guide you in choosing different wedding essentials, primarily, your wedding favors. According to your wedding theme, your should opt for items that have coordinated style, design and colors to the environment of your celebration. Example, if you have a beach wedding theme, choose souvenirs that you usually see during summer outings at the beach, like shells, sand, stones, rubber slippers and the like. Also, the color schemes you want to incorporate are those pastel shades. Think of these ideas or have some research about different wedding themes, in that way, you can have helpful information on what favors to buy.
Most elegant-theme weddings choose metallic souvenirs like gold, silver, platinum and more. Some of these items include crystals and gemstones to add more elegance. They can be turned into personalized keepsakes also by engraving scripts such as names, messages and more. If you have enough budget for these souvenirs, grab this idea for they can really make a great difference on the overall appeal of your wedding. Plus, give it away and allow your guests to remember your one of a kind wedding celebration with elegance!
Some inexpensive favor choices can make a practical option. Think of functional and useful items that are ideal for everyone's use. Such items are pens, mugs, pocket knives, place card holders and picture frames. These items may turn into personalized wedding favors by means of engraving. Personalized pens in particular, can make very useful souvenirs to all your guests. Pens are used by majority, therefore you've done a smart pick if you have pens as favors for your wedding. There are different cool options for personalized pens, you may find themed pens for different occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, valentines. Different scriptures on pens are also available, from religious to funny messages to fit everyone's personality.
Personalized pens may also be presented during pre-wedding parties, consider them as your bridal shower favors. Actually, not just personalized pens can make a great wedding souvenir option for you, opt for something else, other personalized favors could give a unique touch and likely appreciated by your attendees. Feel free to choose, save enough time to shop around and make comparisons. The important thing is, you've experienced a fun time roaming around while looking for personalized gifts for your supportive guests!
Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you're looking for personalized pens, visit the website Americanbridal.com and browse their collection. Find unique wedding favors to make your wedding extra special!

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Ten Things to Consider Before Booking a Beach Wedding

By Clive West

A beach wedding is often seen as the most romantic way of getting married but, before you take the plunge and commit to making those vows in some faraway place, think about some of the consequences. Here are ten things to ponder upon when considering a beach wedding.
Unless you are planning a very private and small wedding, your guests will also have to travel to your chosen destination for your beach wedding. Many people will find this difficult from a point of view of finding the time and also because it is likely to work out very expensive for them - especially if they just stay a day or two.
On the same theme, some guests - eg disabled or elderly may not be able to travel for a beach wedding and children may be too young for a long flight or have school commitments. Children may also not be welcome if the resort is purpose-made for couples.
No matter how you time the beach wedding or where you locate it, there are going to be many guests who just cannot make it and, even if they did, the hotel will probably not be able to accommodate them.
With a 'local' wedding, the bride and groom will have a chance to meet the main service providers - eg caterer, musicians, photographer, priest (or registrar) and so on. With a beach wedding, these people will be assigned by the hotel or travel company and their standards or style may not meet the couple's expectations. Enjoy it now, pay later
Because the beach wedding is going to be so far away, there will be no opportunity for 'dry-runs'. Everything will literally be live and unrehearsed - this will make for a much more tense ceremony than if it had been possible to rehearse it all beforehand.
With the hotel or travel company assigning all of the services and facilities for your beach wedding, there is considerable opportunity for many additional fringe charges to creep in. The couple will be a captive audience - there are no alternatives and, on the day itself, it is going to be easier to agree and worry about the cost later than to appear to be mean in front of the guests while you argue about what is and isn't included.
Although the beach wedding ceremony and reception should be an enjoyable event, one of the great pleasures of the day is the escape. Getting into that car and driving off; exhausted, relieved its over, slightly the worse for wear and looking forward to your new life together. With a beach wedding, you are already on honeymoon and there is nowhere else to go. Next morning, you will meet your hungover guests and family members over breakfast and, later, over dinner.
Even if you have the reception before going off for your beach wedding, you can be sure that the hotel will have made it public knowledge that you are newly-weds. Nods, smiles, knowing winks and pointed questions will mean you are 'on show' for the duration of your honeymoon.
Many beach wedding resorts don't just offer beach weddings, they specialise in them. As a result, the services may be rushed and the performers appear jaded.
With more weddings every day, your own beach wedding may lose some of its magic as the resort begins to look grubby and the ceremony appear to be more of a production line than the special occasion it should be. Many couples do have a lovely and highly memorable ceremony and honeymoon - there is no reason why you can't have that too. Just bear in mind these points when planning your beach wedding.
Clive West has been married to his wife, Damaris, for 18 years. They are retired now and live in Central Italy where they are modernising a rebuilt Umbrian farmhouse. You can see more about living in Italy or other free helpful guides on their websites.

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Sweet Old-Fashioned Wedding Customs

By Bridget Mora

One of the most charming things about weddings is their link to the past. There are many wedding customs that may seem old-fashioned to modern brides, but that doesn't mean that they are not worth including in your wedding. Take a look at some of these sweet old-fashioned wedding customs, and see if they might be right for you.
There are several traditions involving the bride and groom before the wedding. One was that they should not see each other the night before the wedding, and the other is that the groom should not see the bride in her gown before the wedding. Many couples today do not bother with these customs, perhaps finding them to be inconvenient when the couple already lives together before the wedding. Before you decide not to bother with these traditions, keep in mind the old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Besides, the last night before her wedding is a very sweet time to have your best friend stay with you and help you get ready to be married the next day.
Another custom that many brides do not bother with is the blusher veil. In fact, many brides do not wear any veil at all. You might be surprised, however, at how many grooms picture their bride walking down the aisle towards them with her face covered by a veil. The veil is the part of the ensemble that takes you from a woman in a white dress with lovely handmade wedding jewelry to being a real bride. In some religions, the veil is required, but even when it is not, it can be a lovely part of your wedding.
A very cute wedding custom is having charms baked into the cake. Each little charm represents something happy for the guest who finds it. For example, a horseshoe stands for good luck. A tiny wedding band means that the person who finds it will soon be married. It is a charming homespun tradition that would be wonderful to include in a wedding or a bridal shower. Just be certain to alert your guests so that they do not swallow the charms!
In these days of over the top weddings, few brides consider having more simple weddings. The custom used to be that the bride wore her very best dress (in any color), maybe with a special piece of wedding jewelry that was handcrafted for her mother's wedding, and got married in front of close friends and family. Now, few brides today are looking for such a low-key affair, but it is something to keep in mind as anecdote to the extravagant weddings that we see everyday on tv and in the magazines. A reasonably sized wedding can be just as meaningful as the one with the elephants and fireworks.
Oftentimes, the most special customs of all will come from within our own families. If you are not aware of any particular wedding customs in your own family, talk to your mother and grandmothers about their weddings. It may be that you could carry the same flowers in your bouquet as your grandmother or dance to the same first song as your mother and father did thirty years before you. It is these types of traditions that will make your wedding especially personal.
Many brides become so consumed with having the latest and greatest at their weddings that they make forget about some of the customs from an earlier time. Although they might be old-fashioned, some of those wedding traditions can be very sweet. You may want to include some of the older customs in your own wedding.
Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget's experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Handmade wedding jewelry makes a wonderful family heirloom.

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Ideas For Giving Unusual Wedding Gifts

By Donna Ennis

So you want to get some about-to-be-married friends or family members a nice wedding gift, but you're bored with the usual sort of linens, crystal, china, or kitchen gadgets. A lot of couples nowadays are not really interested in such things, anyway. So what's the secret to giving really great, even unusual wedding gifts? Read on for some clues in the ideas below:
* Artwork - if you know the couple well enough to know their tastes in art or décor, a nice piece of framed art that suits their tastes would likely be much appreciated. (Since taste in art can be highly subjective, however, please do the couple a favor and include a gift receipt just in case you were a little off in what you thought they might like.)
* Furniture - if the soon-to-be newlyweds are young and just leaving home or getting out of school, chances are they have very little furniture. Just like more traditional wedding gifts, furniture comes in a range of prices, so you need not buy the couple a leather sectional couch if your gift budget tends more towards a coffee table. If their taste tends more towards the quirky, you may want to offer to take them on a shopping spree through local second hand stores to help them find something unusual or offbeat.
* Entertainment - many couples these days are paying many if not all of the expenses for their wedding, so their post-wedding entertainment budget may be stretched pretty thin. Give them a break from watching rented DVDs - buy them tickets to see a favorite performer live in concert or to see their favorite athletic team.
* Alternative to Cash - Stocks and bonds make a nice alternative to cash and offer you, the gift giver, a way to personalize your gift by buying shares of stock which interest the couple.
There are, in fact, a lot of unusual wedding gifts you can give that can provide a welcome relief from the mundane. One note of caution, though - be sure the couple will be happy with something unusual! Straying from the safe, pre-approved confines of a department store wedding registry can be risky for the gift giver. Remember that a great gift is a reflection of both the giver and the receiver. While you may not want to "spoil the surprise" you may be doing yourself and the couple a favor by approaching them before the wedding and bouncing ideas off them for what you would like to give. And that's the secret for giving a really great wedding gift (and what is perhaps the greatest gift of all) - thoughtfulness.

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How to Sell Your Wedding Dress

By Ray Blake

For most people, wearing your wedding dress is a one time thing. After that, it just sits in storage and occasionally you may pull it out to reminisce, but for the most part it will just sit collecting dust and taking up space. Well the great news is that you can sell your wedding dress and enjoy several benefits at the same time.
The first benefit is obvious, you get some extra money that could be used for many different things, after all, we can all use extra money. Then you are freeing up space for other items such as clothing or things you may need to store. Third, you are helping someone else at the same time, who may need a wedding dress but cannot afford a new one.
So, how can you get started selling your wedding dress? The good news is that it is really very easy. Just follow these steps outlined within this article and you will have your wedding dress sold in no time at all.
The first thing you want to do is make sure you take it to the dry cleaners. You want to make sure you get it there as soon as you possibly can. If there are any spills or stains, make sure you tell the dry cleaner so that they can be sure to focus on those stained areas.
Now, you also want to make sure that everything on the dress in intact. This means you want to be sure that all buttons, beads, and trimming are in place. Depending on how you decide to sell it, you want to make sure that your wedding dress is in perfect condition or as close to it as possible. This will help sell your dress easier and faster.
Now you will need to decide how you want to sell your wedding dress. Do you want to put it up online to sell, do you want to use a consignment store, or do you want to place an ad in your local newspaper? This is important for several reasons. You want to research and discover the most appropriate means of selling for you. You also have to consider costs and percentages if you decide to use a consignment shop or some other method where someone else is doing the selling for you.
You do have several choices when it comes to selling online. However, you want to make sure that you make the advertisement appealing, but truthful. If there is a stain, say there is a stain, if there is a slight tear, say so. If you choose this route, make sure you take full length pictures of the gown. You should also take close ups of different details and features to highlight those in more detail. Color photos are always best; make sure that all photographs are clean, crisp, and very clear.
By making sure you follow these steps, you will be insuring that you have the best possible chance of selling your wedding dress and getting the price you are asking for. Make sure that you research all of your options before settling with one, of course, there is nothing wrong with covering your basis and going with several options at the same time, it just increases your chances of getting your wedding dress sold.
Ray Blake is CEO of http://www.sellyourweddingdress.com/, the premier place to buy and sell used wedding dresses. For a complete line of wedding products, please visit http://www.sellyourweddingdress.com/

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Wedding Reception Flower Arrangements

By Karen Lincoln

Wedding reception flower arrangements are creative extensions of your theme and color palette. While the flower arrangements can provide a focal point for your reception or be a simple statement, they are a great opportunity to be creative and original. Gathering some ideas about the style, types of flowers and design can be helpful to consider prior to heading to your floral designer.
What Flower Arrangements
During the planning stages of your floral design, there are several additional arrangements that should be considered. Along with your floral designer, you should consider creating a floral arrangement for the cake table, head table, guest sign in table, seating arrangement card table and potentially the gift table as well as table centerpieces. The design of the reception location may also warrant additional arrangements, such as the entry to the reception area, around the dance floor or along a buffet table.
Flower arrangements originally created for the wedding service can potentially be re-used for the reception. However, you will want to verify ahead of time the expectations of your wedding service locations. Many churches anticipate that the flowers will remain for weekend services so be sure to check ahead of time.
Creative Reception Flower Arrangements
The focus of the floral design for a wedding traditionally revolves around bouquets, boutonnieres and flowers for the wedding site. Wedding reception flower arrangements are a great opportunity to add a personal and customized touch to your reception site by choosing a design that reflects a wedding theme or the personalities of the pride and groom. Wedding reception flower arrangements can set the tone of a reception, adding anything from a romantic ambiance to playful whimsy.
Wedding reception flower arrangements do not necessarily have to be composed of strictly flowers. Floral designers typically have colorful accents for your arrangements such as artificial fruit coated with shimmering glitter or decorative ornaments that coordinate with your color palette. Candles are another option for your flower arrangements.
The use of baskets, vases, bowls and decorative containers are all additional required selections during the floral design process of wedding planning. Floral designers also typically have a wide range of stands and structural components to create wedding reception flower arrangements. It will be important to consider whether you want an arrangement that is raised off the table to allow guests to easily see and speak with each other, one that is low to the table or one that is entirely artistic as well as large enough to be a focal point for the room.
Using Artificial or Real Flowers
These days it is often difficult to tell whether a flower is silk or natural. For brides interested in creating the majority of their arrangements, artificial flowers provide the opportunity to create wedding reception flower arrangements ahead of time. While a very efficient and crafty bride may be able to pull off creating the arrangements with live flowers prior to the event date, it would be far more difficult and consuming during a time that should be spent celebrating.
Wedding reception flower arrangements provide a great opportunity to show some creativity and personality. The ability to set the tone for a reception with unique and beautiful arrangements should not be overlooked during the planning process. Designing unique flower arrangements will create a memorable evening for you as well as your guests.
My name is Karen and I love to help brides-to-be plan for a wedding, check out my site for more ideas for wedding reception.

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Plan Your Honeymoon At The Sandals Resorts

By: Jenna Hunsaker

When you choose to honeymoon at a Sandals resort one of the benefits is that all of your food is included. No need to budget in money for meals, drinks, or snacks, since they all are included in the price that you pay in the beginning.

Once you've married, you can go out and see some of the sights and experience the water-based sports or spend time on land at your favorite golf course.
Remember, it's all included so you can choose whatever sounds good and just schedule a time to enjoy it.

Choosing a Sandals Resort that's perfect for you may include their amenities, food, and amusement options. No matter the location of the resort you choose, it's all without additional cost. See the different resorts, eat at the restaurants, swim in the pools, drink at the bars, and party at the nightclubs. It's all included.

Having flexibility on vacation is a must for a stress-reliever and Sandals Resorts let you choose what you want to do. You can stay in your room, layout by the pool, snorkel with the fish, go wind surfing and you can decide at the last moment for most activities. So the lack of planning in your schedule can reduce your stress and let you just enjoy being on your honeymoon.

Since children aren't allowed at Sandals Resorts, you can rest assured that only adults will be allowed to participate in your activities and swim in your pool. This coupled with many pools that include bars gives you the chance to party and relax to the fullest. Enjoy the retreat at Sandals and focus on your spouse without the noise and distraction of kids on your honeymoon.

Be sure to ask your Sandals specialist for the details about their hurricane weather and what they'll do if a hurricane hits. I believe that you get credited for another trip in the event of a hurricane because they're so certain that you won't be involved in a hurricane at their resorts. This is pretty cool, plus it shows that not many hurricanes happen at the Sandals Resorts.

Don't feel like you have to decide between all the Sandals Resorts and you only get to experience one of them. When you purchase a Sandals package you get access to each of their resorts at no additional charge. Some resorts are too far away to see and others are on other islands so be sure to ask for information on each of them. If you don't mind staying at just one resorts than be sure to choose the right resort for your desired vacation or honeymoon.

There are quite a few different Sandals resorts, and they are located on several different islands. You can find a Sandals all inclusive resort in Jamaica, Antigua, the Bahamas, and even in St. Lucia. No matter which location you choose, you have access to their amazing beaching, and their all inclusive packages, which will make your honeymoon a trip to remember.

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Honeymoon Bliss: Bahamas Holiday

By: Randy Cranbrooke

Imagine spending your honeymoon sipping frosty drinks on a soft, luxurious, white sand beach. The crystal clear waters serve as your invitation to cap off an exciting wedding with a honeymoon in the Bahamas. A Bahamian holiday is an excellent way to spend the beginning of your new life together as a couple enjoying the fun, sun, and each other.

While planning your wedding you should give equal importance to the planning of your honeymoon as well. If you don't, you might have to resort to the traditional holiday and spend more than your budget permits. After the stressful events of the wedding you are likely to feel exhausted, annoyed and tense. A honeymoon should be a relaxing holiday for the two of you when you can leave all the problems behind and focus on your new relationship.

Make sure that you have enough money to take care of your honeymoon, as the honeymoon is as important as the wedding itself. You can also think of other ways to secure your honeymoon in Bahamas by choosing to take a Bahamas holiday trip instead of the traditional gifts such as the household items. In keeping with the trends there are many websites that have come up with a provision of registering for a holiday instead of the usual gifts.

Once you make up your mind on going to the Bahamas for your honeymoon, you will find various destinations, resorts, hotels, and vacation options to choose from. You can explore these options on the World Wide Web or consult your local travel agent to find the best vacation for you and is within your budget. Planning your wedding and honeymoon together can reduce the pressures and stresses of wedding planning to a great extent.

Many couples choose to take advantage of all inclusive resorts for their Bahamian holiday. These resorts are excellent ways to enjoy all aspects of the fun and sun of the islands while on a thrifty budget. All inclusive resorts include food and activity costs with the tradition room fees. Couples especially love these all inclusive resorts since they do not have to worry with keeping up the costs of food and sticking to their pre set budgets.

Another popular way to enjoy the Bahamas on your honeymoon on a tight budget is to take a cruise. Many luxury cruise companies offer various destinations in the Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean. Gone are the days when cruises were considered to be just for old people looking for sun! These days you see more young people on cruises, especially, honeymooners and vibrant couples that enjoy exciting nightlife and exquisite cuisine.

The Bahamas are also the favorite location for destination weddings. The breathtaking beauty of these destinations provides a romantic aura to the ceremony. If you plan a destination wedding you can include your loved ones in your holiday plans. And, if there are children, you have more reasons to think of the Bahamas as kids have great fun on the white sand in warm weather.

The wildlife exotica, the marvelous sand beaches, the warmth of the sun and ample activities to choose from - this is the stuff that a trip to Bahamas is made up of. The exotica that this place is home to are reason enough to make it your honeymoon destination.

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Romantic Honeymoon Destinations For a Lifetime of Memories

By: Andrew B

There isn't a person in this world who does not wish to have a romantic honeymoon. This only makes sense since a honeymoon is considered to be the ultimate romantic vacation when newlyweds get to spend there first real time alone together. The problem becomes which destination is the most romantic for the task at hand? The answer will depend on the couple and which location appeals most to them. Many will already know where they want to go, but for those who are still undecided here are some ideas to make your first real vacation together truly romantic.

The first though that crosses most peoples minds is someplace tropical. Moonlit walks on the beach, days spent relaxing in the warm ocean breezes with drinks on hand, candlelight dinners with the gentle sounds of breaking waves in the background, and a whole world of romance at every turn. Tropical honeymoons are hard to beat.

The first tropical place most people consider is Hawaii. You can choose to island hop or just spend your time on one island, enjoying the warm blue ocean waters along miles of beach. The Hawaiian people go out of their way to make each and every honeymoon one to remember.

For a more exotic romantic honeymoon the islands of the South Pacific such as Fiji or Bora Bora take the romantic experience to a whole other level. These islands will truly make you and your spouse feel like you have these beautiful locations all to yourselves. They are in an out of the way corner of the Pacific Ocean that will make a honeymoon a truly relaxing and wonderful experience.

For those who want to save some money but still want to experience a tropical honeymoon then Mexico is the place to go. For those who want to get away from the crowds of Cancun and Acapulco the Mayan Riviera is the place to go. With a multitude of all inclusive resorts the Riviera is a great way to enjoy tropical beaches without breaking the bank.

For a more home grown honeymoon there are plenty of romantic places right here in the United States. The advantage of this is obvious; no need for passports and everyone speaks the language.

If the lure of the big city with lots of glitz and glamour is your thing then Las Vegas and New York offer plenty of both. Las Vegas offers year round entertainment opportunities seldom found in other locations. Gambling, an array of different shows that will fit the entertainment needs of just about everyone, and a multitude of large hotels to choose from it is hard to go wrong with a honeymoon in the desert.

New York City offers a wealth of entertainment opportunities as well with Broadway shows and the always exciting Times Square. There is also the opportunity to eat at some of the most famous and romantic restaurants in the world along with world class hotels that are sure to make any honeymoon truly romantic.

For those who are looking for a culturally historic honeymoon then a trip to the old country, Europe, fits the bill. England, France, Spain, Italy all have romantic overtones and surrounding oneself in the history and culture of these countries can make for a truly romantic adventure. There is a language barrier but this can work to the newlyweds favor, giving them a sense of being alone in a strange and exotic land.

Finding a romantic honeymoon destination is easy, the hard part is deciding which destination to choose because any of these choices will leave you with romantic memories that will last you and your spouse a lifetime.

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Wedding Day Stress – 10 Tips for Reducing Stress on Your Wedding Day

By: DJ Jem

Even though your wedding day is billed as your 'special day', you often can't help but feel stressed and overwhelmed by the whole affair. Following are some tips to help you reduce the stress on your wedding day:

1. Try and eat a healthy breakfast. A healthy, nutritious breakfast will provide a wonderful start to your wedding day, followed by several small meals throughout the rest of the day. Incorporate into your meals a light menu of unsweetened fresh/dried fruit, unsalted nuts, raw vegetables, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, and high-fiber bread. Unsweetened fruit juices also help to calm stressed-out nerves.

2. Make sure you have some fresh bottled water with you at all times. Taking a few sips throughout the day is better than guzzling down the whole bottle in 10 minutes, unless you want to spend a lot of time running to and from the restroom. Among a host of other things, water is necessary for the body to digest and absorb vitamins and minerals. Coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas prompt the body to lose water, so they can work against you on your wedding day.

3. Laugh! Find every reason throughout the day to find things around you that help to make you laugh. Laughter has been found to help in decreasing stress hormones that can constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity.

4. Be very well organized. The more time you spend organizing everything with everybody prior to the wedding (e.g., caterer, event coordinator, photographer, disk jockey/DJ, videographer, limo driver, etc.) the less stress you will have on your wedding day. Do not leave things to the last minute, and try to have everything finalized at least one week ahead of your wedding day.

5. If you are leaving for your honeymoon immediately after the reception, don’t forget to have all your luggage (along with important items like passports, airline tickets, travelers checks, etc.,) packed and placed in a safe location you have access to.

6. Get a good night’s sleep the night before your wedding. In order to get a good night’s sleep the night before, you should

• avoid watching TV in bed;
• minimize noise, light, and temperature extremes in your room;
• avoid any naps during the day before;
• not drink caffeine at least 4 hours prior to going to sleep;
• avoid eating, exercise or alcohol prior to going to sleep.

7. Delegate as many tasks to as many people that are willing to help as possible. The less you have to do on your wedding day, the less stressful it will be for you.

8. Keep a healthy perspective on the day. Even though the wedding day is important, your future happiness does not depend on this single day alone.

9. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. Music can be used to bring about a more positive state of mind, which can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body. Make sure you work with your disc jockey/DJ to incorporate all the songs that mean the most to you in your ceremony and/or reception.

10. Understand that not everything on your wedding day is under your control. Names can get mispronounced, important participants can get lost or arrive late, nature can refuse to cooperate, vehicles can break down, and so on. Amidst all this, try and accept with grace and humility the fact that not everything is under your control.

11. Bonus tip! Above all, make sure you take the time to enjoy your special day, even though there will be a lot going on. Take in the elegant floral arrangements, the exquisite table settings, the smiling faces, the soothing music, and all the other special touches that have been put together just for you.

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8 Wedding Hairstyles Ideas

By: Bobette Kyle-Wagner

If ever there was time to make the most of your hair, it is for your wedding. Your bridal hairstyle can look like a million with imagination and the skills of a good hairdresser. Wedding hairstyles range from a more coiffed version of your everyday hair to an elaborate and dramatic style.

Perfect wedding hairstyles flatter your face, your wedding gown, and your veil. They suite your personality while accentuating your best features and minimizing your weak ones. Here are some suggestions for different kinds of hair.

- Hair swept back or up shows more of your face and profile. This style can be especially nice for formal or evening weddings.

- A wedding up-do will accentuate your neck. This look can range from a simple French twist to a stylish mass of ringlets.

- Hair worn down or loose has a more casual look, perfect for daytime, outdoor, and informal weddings.

- Long hair can be worn back, loose, braided, or entwined with beading or fabric that matches your gown.

- Medium-length hair is nearly as versatile as long. It can be curled, straightened, tucked behind your ears, or brushed loosely down.
- Even brides with short hair can have a long, thick wedding day hairstyle. Clip on hairpieces and extensions are available in a variety of colors and styles.

- Short hair can be versatile, from sleek styles to curly. Tiaras, decorative bobby pins, combs, and hair clips all look stunning worn in short hair.

- Bangs can be worn several ways: soft, fringy, angled, or textured. If you’ve never had bangs, experiment with them well in advance. If you’ve always had them, this is not the time to sweep them aside and bare your forehead.

Current styles are important, but should be secondary to what is right for you. Something may be "in" but all wrong for you or your dress. Whatever style you choose, have practice sessions in the week before your ceremony. Do this and your wedding day will most certainly be a fabulous hair day.

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Perfect bridal make-up

By: Ariane Poole

FOUNDATION: One of the most important things for a bride besides the dress, is looking great on her wedding day. A flawless complexion is very important in achieving this. Whether you are a make-up wearer or not, an even complexion is important. To bring into being this you can decide foundation, tinted moisturiser or just concealer. Foundation: - even if you don't wear a foundation it's a good idea to use a light weight one to even out your complexion, photos and videos tend to show every little thing. - don't be tempted to apply a darker foundation to get a healthy glow it will look awful, opt for an all over false tan instead - keep it simple. If your complexion is fairly even, all you'll require is a little concealer applied where needed ( spots, dark circles etc. ). Otherwise decide a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser.

How to decide the right one. Choosing the right foundation is one of the hardest things. Get it right and you'll look fantastic, get it wrong and none of your make-up however good will look right. So before you get to the beauty counter, do the following that way you won't be daunted by the huge amount of products to choose from. What type of foundation is best for your skin type? Dry skin would benefit using a moisturising foundation, one that is semi-matte, one that has a dewy finish up, light reflective one or even a cream to powder foundation. Avoid oil free and powder / foundation in one. Combination skin.This skin type is very lucky because they can use any type of foundation depending on the type of look they want. Problem or oily skin. A problem skin would benefit from an oil-free foundation, some cream to powder foundations (some of the new ones are oil-free) and powder / foundation in one. They should avoid any creamy, moisturising foundations or light reflective ones. Mature skin. A hydrating foundation or light reflecting one would be appropriate for a mature skin. A cream to powder could also be good. Look for ones with a semi-matte or dewy finish off that are not too heavy. Avoid anything too heavy, opaque or matte as this can be very ageing.

Different coverages and finishes Coverage: Sheer (hardly anything, Fantastic for young near best skin), Light ( a bit more cover Brilliant for someone who just wants to even out their complexion, good for dry, combination or mature skin), Medium ( moderate cover for a slightly less than appropriate complexion, good for all skin types), Opaque ( maximum cover for those skins which need it, i.e. scars, broken veins, birth marks, most suitable skin types apart from mature and very dry). Next decide the type of finish you would like: Shiny is perfect only on youthful Flawless skin. Dewy/Moist is suitable for all skin types other than problem/oily. Demi-matte this is a Brilliant for all skin types. Matte is appropriate for problem/oily and combination skin.

At the Counter Having chosen the appropriate foundation, based on skin type, preferred finish off and coverage, you are now ready to discover the appropriate colour. To find the right colour, apply a stripe of foundation on your clean jaw line, not on the back of your hand. The colour is NEVER the same. Leave it to settle for a couple of minutes to see if the colour changes when the foundation reacts with your skins natural oils. Now check it in natural day light, this is the only true light. The foundation colour that you DON'T see is the right one. Don't be tempted to change your skin colour with foundation, it will just look false-mask like. You may find that you have to mix two foundations together to the best shade for you, don't worry Make-up Artists do this all the time.

Tips for a flawless complexion. Foundation needn't look false or mask like if applied properly. Although all foundations are slightly different, the method of application is similar. Start with a cleansed face, allow your moisturiser to absorb. Then prime your skin (If needed) Now you are ready for foundation. Place a little foundation in the palm of your hand, this helps warm it to skin temperature, so it goes easily. Using either your fingers, a latex sponge (these feel damp even though they are dry) or brush apply foundation to the cheeks, nose and chin. Always apply in a downward motion starting in the centre and blending out toward the edges. You needn't wear foundation all over your face like a mask, if the colour and texture are right then use it only where you need it (most don't need any on the forehead).

Quick Tips: Choosing the right Foundation. a) First determine your skin type, the coverage you need and the finish (matte, dewy etc.) you'd like. b) Next choose your colour, test along your jaw line wait a couple minutes for it to react with your skins natural oils. Check in day light, the one you don't see is the one for you. c) Using either a latex sponge, fingers or a foundation brush apply only to the areas that need it, since you've chosen the right one you don't need to apply it all over like a mask. And there you have it a flawless complexion. Powder: - in photos too much shine looks sweaty, even if you want a dewy look keep your t-zone mat. Use either one of the many mattifying products patted on the t-zone over foundation or some translucent powder. To make your make-up last, you could try long lasting foundation or a make-up primer.

BLUSH Let's begin with classic way. Apply your blush just slightly below your cheek bone, from the apple blending up ward towards the ear. This will give a slightly sculpted effect. Brilliant if you want bring out your cheek bones, and/or thin your face. You can also apply blush to the apple of your cheeks. To discover your apples simply smile, and put your blush on the 'roundy' bit. This gives a really fresh glow, which looks Brilliant on almost everyone.

Tips If put on too much blush don't worry, you don't have to take it all off. If it's a powder one just take a little yellow powder on a puff or brush and dust it over, this will soften it. If you've used a cream blush, get a bit of foundation or tinted moisturiser on a sponge and smooth it over the area. Now you can leave it or replace it. Add any blush a little at a time to build up the colour, that way you avoid making mistakes.

There are four different formulations of blusher. a) creams: a cream blush is just that, it has a soft creamy texture and is best applied to bare skin or one that only needs a tinted moisturiser or light weight foundation. It doesn't blend well on a skin using a matte/powdery foundation. Cream blushers will give the skin a dewy, sheer fresh look. It is Fantastic on dry, normal or combination skins. And should be avoided by oily or blemished skins. The perfect way to apply a cream is either with your fingers or a dry latex sponge. Dot the blush on the apple of your cheeks and blend along the cheek bone. b) cream to powders: these are the newest formulations of blush. They combine the sheerness of a cream with long lasting wear of a powder. This formulation seems to be the favourite with most make-up artists at the moment. If gives a soft slightly sheer semi-matte look, which is very wearable. It is easy to apply using either fingers, sponge or even blusher brush. Going on anything from bare skin to one requiring foundation and powder. It is fab for all skin types. c) powders: in the past these have been the most popular. They can offer a more matte finish, although some may contain shimmer. They tend to be longer lasting. Powder blush is suitable for most skin types, especially oily skins. Though really dry/flaky skins should avoid powder blush as it can sit on the surface and make the skin look parched. Some find powders easier to apply and blend. They should always be applied to a matte or semi-matte skin using a proper blusher brush otherwise it will look blotchy. d) gels/stains: these are sheer oil free formulations with a high concentration of pigment. They give a sheer but intense colour with a modern feel. They are appropriate suited to an oily or combination skin. They tend to be the more difficult of the blushers to apply, because you have to work quickly and exactingly using your fingers or sponge otherwise they can look very patchy. Apply to bare skin or one needing a tinted moisturiser / light weight foundation. Do not use over powder or a matte foundation. When applying a powder blush it is very important that you use the right size brush, otherwise your blush will look patchy and uneven. Never use those little ones that come with the blush. - When choosing the colour remember it is perfect to stick to pinky-browns, soft apricot/peach or soft red-browns depending on your skin tone if you want a natural look. For a long lasting effect: Try layering, that is apply a cream or cream to powder blush initially followed by a matching powder.

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National Wedding Trends For 2008

By: Ginny Marx

The styles or fashions of weddings and wedding dresses continue to change with time, with more emphasis on elegance and stateliness. Curvy dresses that are snug on the body, fully complementing the womanly figures are among the 2008 wedding trends concerning bridal attires. Once before, the fashion trend was more inclined and favorable towards bodies of stick thin, hanger types, but not anymore.

Necks and shoulders are a prominent area of appeal, and more and more brides are showing them off. While previous years' fads included heavy jewelry, in the year 2008 wedding trends, jewelries are now commonly worn on the dresses themselves.

The most widespread colors or motifs for dress designs are chic and sleek silver along with other beautifully bold but light colors. Fabrics like classic satin and laces are much more preferred, too. For wedding themes, the wedding trends are more appreciative of warm colors like orange, violet and red.

Coming up as a wedding trend for the first time is the green wedding, which focuses on environmentally friendly weddings. Whether the couple is planning an outdoor wedding to cut down on energy or using recycled materials throughout their wedding and reception it seems that something borrowed and something blue is getting something green as well. More 2008 wedding trends include second hand fabrics, gifts that recycle, and using technology instead of paper.

Nowadays, music has become such an integral part of weddings. Latin American music is the more common choice for 2008 wedding trends. Latin American music can add a sensual flair of fun and romance to any wedding reception. This choice of music is a special favorite for couples who love to dance.

Another popular music trend is the hiring of cover bands. These bands imitate other bands' songs to the preference of the wedding couple. This has become a popular trend because couples get inspired by reality television shows that have wedding specials.

With this kind of trend follows the increase of both amateur and professional impersonators. Many couples also become inclined in hiring impersonators. They are hired primarily to entertain and greet the wedding couple's guests during the reception.

Other wonderful trends have risen nowadays, and it only serves to increase the economical rise of the wedding industry. Couples both old and young celebrate their weddings with an enthusiasm and flamboyance only seen in our current societal time. That is why the 2008 wedding trends are full of diverse glamour and entertaining allures that continuously attract wedding couples to go full out on possibly the most important day of their lives.

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