Help your flower girl be her best on your big day

Children can add so much to a wedding day - from the ring bearer toddling down the aisle carrying a pillow with precious cargo, to the flower girl who sweetly perfumes your path to the altar by dropping tender petals in her wake. As special as you feel on your wedding day, you'll want even your littlest helpers to share in the feeling and know that you appreciate them.

To ensure that your young attendants are happy campers on the big day, you'll want to help them look their best and make them feel that they have an important role. Here are some helpful hints that you can put in practice, whether the child is your own or the child of a loved one. Follow these tips, and you'll help ensure the youngest members of your wedding party have a positive experience that they - and you - will remember for a lifetime.

Make her feel special

( SEE Flower Girl Accessories ~ Flower Girl Dresses ~ Flower Girl Jewelry )

Chances are you're not the only female in your wedding party who's doing something special, exciting - and intimidating - for the first time. Your flower girl or young bridesmaid is also experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime, princess-like moment, and may feel understandably nervous at the prospect of having all eyes on her as she precedes you down the aisle. Making her feel special, as if she is a little princess, will help boost her self-confidence.
Brides spend lots of time and energy picking out dresses for their flower girls and junior bridesmaids, taking into account not only how the dress will fit in with the look of the wedding, but how it will complement the wearer. Accessories are just as important, and the youngest members of the wedding party should have some small items to highlight their attire, just as every bride should.

Not only will jewelry enhance the look, it will be a keepsake of the day - look for pieces that are high quality (so that they will last a lifetime), but reflective of the wearer's age. Disney Precious Collections offers fine children's jewelry for girls that will be perfect for any wedding. The pieces are understated and elegant, but also feature the youthful spirit of beloved Disney characters - they make ideal flower girl gifts.

Keep her involved

Children love being involved in life's big moments and decisions as much as possible. Keep your flower girl or young bridesmaid part of the decision-making process as much as possible leading up to your wedding day.
In addition to involving them in fun things like wedding showers, putting stamps on invitations and hair and make-up trials, give your young attendants some options that they can choose from. Will she wear her hair up or down? With flowers, ribbons or feathers?

You can also give her options about what kind of flower girl jewelry she might wear. For a special surprise, you could show her examples of earrings, necklaces and bracelets from Disney Precious Collections well ahead of time, and then surprise her on the day of the wedding with the one she liked best. To look through the jewelry options that can become treasured wedding memories for your junior bridesmaids and flower girls, visit preciousjewelrycollections.com.

Make your day child-friendly

Though you'll feel like your wedding day is flying by, it can be a long day for the littlest members of your wedding party. Even the best-mannered kids get tired and out of sorts after hours of activity, so it's good to take that into consideration. You'll be in a whirlwind of excitement, so make sure that you have a trusted attendant who can help accommodate children's needs.

Think about scheduling your photos so that pictures with children will be taken first and quickly. They'll be energetic and happy, and if you can have the photos taken soon after hair and make-up are done, everyone will look picture-perfect.

Plan to have something special for youngsters - both wedding party members and young guests - at the reception. Consider offering kid-friendly menu items, or have separate entertainment like balloon animals, a toy box or a coloring station with crayons and a paper easel to keep kids happy and occupied while adults enjoy the grown-up activities at the reception.
Keeping the youngest members of your wedding party happy on your wedding day will help ensure the day is special, memorable and enjoyable for everyone. (courtesy of ARA)

(SEE Flower Girl Accessories ~ Flower Girl Dresses) Wedding Store Online

Choosing your Beach Style Wedding Dress

Not every bride wants the same type of wedding dresses, of course, because every bride is different. Some brides want designer and couture wedding dresses for their weddings. And, unfortunately, not every bride can afford a designer wedding dress. Fortunately, there are ways to get your dream couture wedding dress for less than retail.

Instructions as follow:
Step 1 First, don’t fear simple couture wedding dresses. A plain designer wedding dress will most likely be more affordable than an ornate couture wedding dress. So, choose a plain designer wedding dress that fits you well, then dress it up in your own personal style. Add jewelry, beading or gemstones to make the dress your own. You’ll have your designer dress, and you’ll have it with your own personal style.

Step 2 Call upscale consignment stores in your area and ask if they have a bridal section. People may be eager to get their expensive and modest wedding dresses out of their homes. You could get an amazing deal to begin with, but if the deal isn’t good enough, you have the ability to bargain at a consignment store for a better price.

Step 3 Shop the sale racks at local bridal boutiques. Just because a wedding dress is on sale does not mean that it can not be your couture dream dress. Wedding dress sales are great - comb through the racks until you find your perfect wedding dress.

Step 4 Rent a wedding dress from a bridal salon. You’ll only have your dream designer wedding dress for one day, but that’s all you need it for, after all. Buying a designer dress can cost thousands of dollars, whereas renting it can cost a few hundred. Just be aware that you may not be able to make alterations on a rented dress, so you’ll need to find a dress that fits you just right.

Step 5 Visit websites which offer used and sample discount wedding dresses, cheap wedding dresses, casual wedding dresses, elegant wedding dresses . helenebridal.com is a great website for these. However, when you buy a dress online, be sure that you love it, and it will be able to be altered.

Step 6 Buy designer dresses - but not wedding dresses. A white designer gown can cost you less than a designer wedding gown. Find the perfect white evening gown, and dress it up with wedding jewelry, a tiara or a wedding veil.

Catering Your Own Wedding?

Catering Your Own Wedding?
by: Charish Hoover - California Weddings

(recommended only for smaller events)

I know what it's like to want the perfect wedding, but feel it's financially out of reach. I'll also be the first to strongly encourage all brides to NEVER skimp on quality just because of price.

An event such as a wedding comes only once in most people's lives, therefore, I think we can all agree splurging a bit is not only acceptable, , , , but called for if it means having no regrets when you look back.

With that said, , , There's always something that can be sacrificed for the more important things regarding your wedding. I'll leave that up to you.

When it comes to catering, and hiring a caterer, you truly do

want to choose the most experienced, tried, and tested professional.

Price does matter:

You may find a caterer who charges only $5.00 per person, as apposed to a caterer who charges $40.00 per person. That's ok, but I'll never forget what one Fresno caterering service owner said to me. Those words were, "$5.00 per plate may sound great, but that price is pretty expensive when the food tastes like #%@*" Ehem! nuff said. OK, back to my point. This may or may not be true in every case. I suggest that if you're interested in any of the many great California caterers, ask for a sample tasting of the food items that interest you prior to hiring them. Then, you will better know whether or not the food is worth the price, whether it's $5.00, or more.

Another bit of advice is this. If you're on a tight budget, but still want a fairy tale wedding, , , , DON'T invite the world to your wedding! Try to keep your guest count below 100 people (60 is a good number). One of the biggest expenses for a wedding usually turns out to be feeding your guests. Pick a number and stick to it. When it comes to your wedding invitations, remember that it is ok to mention on the invite that seating is limited to names listed on the invitation. This will hopefully deter your guests from extending their invitation to their own guest(s).

If you are planning to hold your wedding reception at a home, or memorial building, public hall, etc., catering your own wedding will be much easier. If however you want to have your reception at one of the more popular banquet halls or facilities, you may very well be told "No" when it comes to bringing in your own food. This may happen because banquet halls often offer their own catering and that service is usually part of a package deal. When your date is a prime, popular date, a caterer and hall simply would not prefer to have you booked for that day as apposed to a bride who wants to hire the facility for all of its services. There's nothing wrong with this, it's simply business. Any business will look out for it's best interest. After all, they have expenses and employees, and it simply would not be worth it to them to turn away more money. This does not mean however that you should not discuss the possibility of bringing in your own food at their banquet facility. The worst thing they can say is no. This does not make them a bad business, they're simply sticking to what works best for them.

Suggestions for pleasing your guests' appetites:

Remember that you and your new spouse may have some picture taking to do after your ceremony: Try to provide some great, yet inexpensive appetizers for your guests while they await for your arrival to the reception area.

* Veggie platters with various dips.

* Chips with salsa and/or other dips. Crackers Are also a good addition.

* Sliced fruits such as cantelope, grapes, water melon, with cream cheese/yogurt dip.

* Various sliced Deli meats with rye bread, and or crackers for mini sandwich creations.

Create a buffet of choices for your guests:

By the time you arrive at the reception, your guests should already have their hunger under control as a result of the delicious appetizers you've provided for them. The only thing left now is to provide them with a more hearty menu. Go buffet style, and your guests will enjoy the various choices offered to their tastebuds. They can also decide how much or little they wish to eat.

Buffet ideas that family & friends can help you with:

* BBQ'd beef - have a large crockpot of this tasty meat choice cooked up and ready for self serve. Be sure to have buns or tortillas available (enough per for at least 2 per guest)

Other inexpensive meat ideas:

Baked and sliced ham, boneless turkey sliced and ready for self serve.

Quick, Easy, & Inexpensive Side Dish Ideas:

Potato salad ~ Green Salad ~ Rice Pilaf ~ Green beans w/bacon ~ Dinner Rolls

About The Author:
Charish has worked in the wedding industry since 1991, and owns and operates many online wedding planning guides to help brides and grooms, , such as for: California Weddings, Wedding Locations, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Ideas, and much more.

What color bridesmaid gown?

What color bridesmaid gown is most appropriate for your wedding? Here are some thoughts and tips to help you decide.

One of the biggest questions to ask when choosing a bridesmaid dress is about color. Aside from choosing a shade you like, you’ll want to pick one that fits the tone of the ceremony: elegant, refined, causal, religious, etc. You’ll also want to choose a color that flatters the bridesmaids.
Here are some thoughts on choosing a color for your bridesmaid dresses.

Yellow. Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses are most appropriate for an elegant evening ceremony. However, Yellow can be made a bit more casual if you go with a shorter dress or by combining it with white or another light color. This color looks good on most women and is slimming, and Yellow bridesmaid gowns usually are easy to recycle for a later formal occasion. In some people’s minds, though, black just isn’t “wedding” enough because it is associated with mourning and sexuality.

Red. Red is a bold color choice. Like black, it tends to work best for the elegant evening wedding, but can be toned down if the dress is shorter or contains other colors. To avoid the ‘fire engine” effect, choose a shade that’s a little muted, and to tone down the sexual connotations of this color, choose a modest dress. Red often looks best on women with olive or brown skin, and sometimes makes blondes and redheads look pale. Red is good with Satin Bridesmaid Dresses or Taffeta Bridesmaid Dresses, so just try it.

Pink. Pink signifies innocence and youthful femininity. It’s a good choice for a springtime, outdoor wedding, but might not be appropriate for older bridesmaids. A more sophisticated choice is rum pink, which is feminine and pretty without looking too prom-like. You can also tone down the prom look by keeping the dress simple, without frilly bows and poofy stuff. Pink is good in Lace Bridesmaid Dresses or Organza Bridesmaid Dresses, so just try it.

David Tutera Wedding Tips

David Tutera - Talking About Expected Wedding Trends


Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera discusses not only Disney Weddings in this video, but also talks about what trends, and colors he expects for the next year.

David expects to see a lot of purples, and lavenders for the Spring, but is hoping to see more warm, and rich colors soon. I'd have to say, I agree with David, and have already seen a lot of his expectations coming into play.

When does David think a bride should pick her wedding dress? After you've already decided on your wedding ceremony site, your reception venue, what time of day your wedding will be, and your date. Then choose the best designer wedding dress to match all of the above.

David also talks about his new couture bridal collection that will help any busy bride create that perfect, modern look she hopes for.

Why Should Your Wedding Ring Go On Your Fourth Finger?

Watch This Great Video Below, That Explains This In A Wonderful, Unique Way.


Tips Before Choosing a Wedding Ring
(By: ghostevyta)

There is a huge array of diamond wedding rings available today, and choosing the one that will be with you for a lifetime is a serious affair.

Not only are there aesthetic factors to bear in mind, your diamond wedding ring holds also a deeper significance. It is a symbol of your love for the person that you married, and you should select the ring that you feels best captures the essence of these feelings.

The diamond ring you choose for your wedding should be everything that you feel your love to be - unique, beautiful and durable. And while there are a huge variety of styles and ring settings available, the core features of a truly beautiful diamond remain the same regardless of the style of diamond ring you pick to celebrate your wedding. You will hopefully wear this ring the rest of your life, so choose a style that seems timeless to you.

Selecting a wedding ring isn't as easy as it looks. You are going to wear your ring for the rest of your life, so it should be something you won't get tired of in a couple years. You will have to look at and try on many different rings before you come to a final decision and, being an intelligent consumer, you should know what your options are.

First, you will have to decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, with your budget in mind, choose the material you want your ring made of.

Wedding ring materials can be:

- 14K or 18K yellow gold, classic and still very popular for wedding and engagement rings; - white gold, which is gaining popularity because it looks stylish and very modern. Also white gold can be worn with silver or platinum jewelry and it goes with most fabrics; - platinum is one of the hardest metals, which in itself makes platinum a suitable symbol for enduring love. It is also very pure: while 18 K gold contains only 75% gold, most platinum jewelry is 95% platinum. Platinum rings look similar to white gold, are very elegant and stylish, don't scratch and don't loose their look with the passing years. Platinum rings are the most expensive but, considering that you will wear your ring for the rest of your life, that doesn't really matter for many couples; - titanium is long lasting, light and not very expensive, so it has recently became a very popular material for wedding rings. Titanium rings are similar in appearance to white gold rings but they are so light that you can hardly feel one on your finger. Titanium is a particularly popular material for men's wedding rings.

Diamonds are unbeatable favorites for wedding rings and with good reason - not only are diamonds the most beautiful and expensive of all precious stones, but they are also the hardest. Other hard stones are rubies and sapphires. Gemstones like amethyst or aquamarine are too soft, which makes them unsuitable for a wedding ring that you are going to wear every day.

No matter which style and material you choose, you want a ring that would be comfortable on your finger. For this reason it is always best to go with a ring that is smooth around the edges.

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about diamonds. When you start sharing the fascinating diamonds facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

In the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains - or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight - it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.

The setting you choose is a matter of your own personal taste, but the diamond in your wedding ring should adhere to these important factors.

The characteristics of a beautiful diamond are known as the four Cs - carat, color, clarity and cut. Regardless of the style of diamond wedding rings that you and your partner choose, these are factors that will apply.

The carat of your diamond refers to its weight - simply put, the larger the diamond, the more valuable it becomes. While larger diamonds can be impressive, certain settings suit smaller carats better. Choose a carat that appeals most to you - a large diamond may be valuable, but the most important factor is how valuable it is to you.

The color of a diamond also relates to its value - the clearer the stone, the more valuable your diamond wedding ring.

The third factor is clarity - once again, the more clear a diamond, the more valuable it becomes. Though few diamonds are perfect, the ones with less clouds or flaws are more rare, and thus more expensive to purchase.

The final factor is the diamond's cut. The best cut will display the diamond's brilliance to the best effect.

Your jeweler will be able to help you select a diamond that fits all these characteristics, but remember that each diamond is beautiful in its own right. Your diamond wedding rings are a symbol of your love, so choose the one that speaks to you.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of diamonds. Share your new understanding about diamonds with others. They'll thank you for it.

And men, you need to take great care when shopping for that special diamond ring! Remember to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying. Don't pay more for what you are getting.

We are dedicated to helping you learn more about diamonds, for better selection and your money's worth.

Wedding Hairstyles

By: Georgina Clatworthy

It can very difficult & confusing deciding which hairstyle would be perfect for your wedding day . By comparison choosing your dress was easier. You’ve probably thumbed through endless pages of magazines, read countless articles which tell you ‘wear it up’, ‘wear it down’, ‘go natural’, ‘go formal’ & at the end of it all you are still none the wiser!

Well, help is at hand - the following information should be all you need to make an informed decision about the right style for your big day.


Staying True to You

The key to success with your whole bridal outfit, not just your hair, is to maintain your identity. I have mentioned in many articles about all aspects of your wedding planning, that your wedding should be a reflection of your own tastes, style & personality. Your wedding hairstyle & indeed your whole outfit, is no different. It is a common bridal mistake to go all out for glamour or that special once in a life time look, but it nearly always ends with you looking in the mirror just not recognizing the person looking back at you.

Of course you should go for something a bit special on your wedding day, but the best advice is to stick to something that you actually like. After all you didn’t choose your wedding dress because the shop assistant told you they liked it or because they said it was the style all the celebrities are wearing at the moment , did you?

When it comes down to it, there isn’t really any right or wrong answers when selecting wedding hairstyles , but there are a few tips you can follow to help you narrow down your choices.

Plan Then Plan Some More

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience. There is just so much to organize, book, hire, coordinate & schedule. What began as one of the most exciting phases in your life can end with feeling totally exhausted by the time the big day comes around.

But whether your wedding is a huge formal affair or a small casual & intimate party, chances are you will be putting together a wedding plan, either paper based in a notebook or on your computer with some nifty software. Whatever your planning style make sure your hairstyle is on the list. You will need to start to think about it earlier than you imagine. You will need time to consider your choices, find a good stylist (if you don’t intend on doing it yourself), purchase any accessories such tiaras, veils, combs & pins & finally book appointments to try out styles till you find the perfect one.

Be Your Beautiful Self

Fabulous hair on our wedding day is something we all dream of, but many brides will take it too far. They will feel that they must match the style of the beautiful model on the front cover a magazine, with her long golden tresses perfectly manicured into cascades of curls. Trying to imitate a look which is so far removed from your own everyday style can be a recipe for disaster.

If you have short hair & you want to grow it for the wedding then go ahead, but be aware of the timeframe here, do you have enough time to let it grow to the length you want? But think carefully, will it make you look more ‘blushing bride’ than you do already? Confidence is everything when it comes to your ability to pull a look off. If you feel confident & comfortable with the way you look, you will carry it off to perfection. If you don’t it will be immediately obvious & could spoil your day. The best advice? - go as yourself, that way you are certain to look great!

Stay Cool & Communicate

It isn’t just your own hair that you should consider, but that of your attendants as well. You may trust them to make the perfect choices for their hairstyles or you might want to pick something for them yourself. Whatever, your feelings on this, it is important that you talk with them about their hairstyles & your own. It is a good way to bounce ideas off each other & come up with a coordinated look that is complimentary to everyone. If you are paying for a stylist to do everyone’s hair then arrange appointments for a time when you can all attend & run through some options. The stylist should also be able to guide you & give you some good advice & ideas.

Keep to the Theme

If you are having a specific theme for your wedding then it is important to choose a hairstyle that will fit with it. A 60’s beehive won’t look right if your wedding theme is a glamorous 1930’s art deco affair. You don’t have to choose a style that is an exact replica of one from the period, but one that is evocative of it. Let your stylist know what your theme is & the style you want to evoke, they will be able to guide you & make some suggestions.

Let the Gown Be Your Guide

When you picked your wedding flowers, you will have told the florist the style of your gown, the fabric it is cut from & the texture of it. Armed with this knowledge your florist will have set to work designing a bouquet that is the right size, shape & weight to fit with your dress. The same should be considered when choosing your hairstyle. Give some consideration to the silhouette of your gown; your hairstyle needs to match the line of the dress. For example, a formal updo piled high on the top of your head would best suit a large formal ballgown style dress, where as a sleek poker straight style would best suit a slender, sheath style dress.