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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