http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/creative-tips-for-magical-holiday-weddings.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/creative-tips-for-magical-holiday-weddings.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Christmas Ceremonies & Receptions

There are countless possibilities when it comes to making your wedding a festive event. If you choose a Christmas wedding, bright reds and greens make stunning colors for bridesmaids' dresses. In place of ribbons and bows, try glistening white lights and garland streamed about the sanctuary.

A Christmas tree in the lobby, reception hall or sanctuary can be adorned with ornaments from your childhood. What's more, set up a tree that represents the beginning of your new life together. Pots of poinsettias, from tiny to tremendous, can be placed all about bringing in yet more holiday color including red, white, pink and more.

During your reception, serve warm, spiced cider rather than traditional punch. Also consider offering your guests Christmas cookies, sausage balls and other holiday treats. Planning a sit-down dinner? Nothing says, "Christmas dinner" like turkey with all the trimmings.

Hanukkah Decorating & Food Ideas

For Hanukkah weddings, tradition will demand brilliant blue for the attendants' dresses. White lights with blue ribbons also make striking decorations for the synagogue. Does your family have a menorah that's been handed down from generation to generation? Using it during the ceremony is a memorable way to honor tradition. If there isn't a family menorah, purchase a new one and begin your own family tradition.

Doughnuts, latkas and honey puffs (loukoumades) can all be made into individual-sized portions, perfect as hors d'oeuvres. If serving a meal, beef brisket, sweet and sour cabbage soup and other longstanding recipes will represent the holiday well.

New Year's Weddings & Receptions

New Year's is another option for a holiday wedding. Your wedding party will look fantastic dressed in a sharp contrast of black and white. Even if you don’t become husband and wife at the stroke of midnight, use bells during the wedding to symbolize ringing in the New Year and your new beginning.

The food selection is entirely up to you, as New Year's doesn't have "traditional" type foods. However, Champaign for toasting is certainly a must.

Unique Wedding Favors

The smells and tastes of the holiday season make for some of the most vivid memories, so make sure to include your favorites at the reception. Use candles scented with evergreen, cinnamon or baked goods to add to the holiday theme.

Unique wedding favors might include silver bells that can be used for decoration or personalized Christmas ornaments. There are also candleholders, bookmarks and key rings in the shape of snowflakes that go along with the holiday theme. Other unique wedding favors include personalized packages of coffee and tea that will help warm your guests.

It surely will be a season of celebration when you add your holiday wedding to the list of festivities. With friends and family drawn near, the memories you make will add to the joy of the holidays to come for years and years.



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Deborah Collins is Creative Consultant for FavorFavor.com specializing in creative, unique wedding favors for every budget. Visit them today at http://www.favorfavor.com to browse their huge selection of affordable wedding favors that will make your special day memorable.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/planning-an-impressive-wedding-on-a-shoestring-budget.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/planning-an-impressive-wedding-on-a-shoestring-budget.html Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600
It was a day you’ll never forget. He dropped to one knee, presented you with a stunning engagement ring and you gleefully accepted with a resounding, “Yes!” The rush of adrenaline is relived each time you announce, “We’re getting married!” The excitement, however, can quickly diminish when the reality of wedding expenses hits home.

According to CostOfWedding.com, U. S. couples spend approximately $30,000 on their weddings. To make matters worse, that figure doesn’t include the honeymoon, engagement ring, bridal consultants or wedding planner. Is it really possible to plan a memorable wedding without breaking the bank? Absolutely! These guidelines will help make your wedding day a success - from the wedding favors to the dress - without blowing your budget.

Designer Dresses At Knock-Off Prices

One of the most important items in planning a wedding is choosing the right dress. You want a dress that looks breathtaking as you walk down the aisle. One that will leave a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. With designer gowns costing thousands of dollars, how do you find a dress that’s both breathtaking and affordable? One suggestion is to attend Filene’s “Running of the Brides.” This event began in 1947 and is held in major cities across the country. They offer famous designer wedding gowns that range in price from $249 to $699. These sales are a fantastic way to buy the dress of your dreams at a fraction of the cost.

Another possibility is to shop online for consignments. Many brides put their dresses up for sale after the ceremony. You can find gorgeous dresses that cost much less than you’d pay for them in a salon or department store. If you’re the sentimental type, your mother, aunt or sister would probably be thrilled to loan you their dress. You many even start a new family tradition.

Endless Options for Affordable Flowers

Popular flowers for bridal bouquets are roses, lilies and gardenias. While these flowers are indeed beautiful, they can also be quite expensive. Once again, check online when looking for flowers.

There are a number of companies that ship fresh flowers at much more reasonable rates than local florists. There are also packages that can be ordered which include the bridal bouquet, rose petals for the flower girl, bridesmaid’s flowers and boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen. If this is still out of range, try substituting carnations for roses. Carnations are dainty and frilly, come in a rainbow of colors, and cost about half the price of roses. Your florist can also offer an abundance of ideas that meet your budget.

Another popular option is silk flowers. Better-quality silk bouquets are hard to distinguish from the real thing and can cost as little as $20. Silk flowers never die, so they can be easily stored as keepsakes. Silk flowers also alleviate allergens that might annoy those in attendance.

An Impressive Reception On A Shoestring

Most couples allocate almost half the wedding budget to the reception. However, you can throw a fabulous reception without going overboard financially. Here are some smart strategies that can save big bucks without looking cheap.

Evening weddings are typically more formal and offer a reception with a sit down dinner. One cost-saving tip is to stay away from steak and lobster, and substitute chicken or pasta. Not only are these items less expensive, they are also healthier.

Alcohol is another significant expense. Instead of going for a full, open bar, try keeping it simple. Offer guests two or three impressive wines that go well with your meal. If the sit-down dinner strains your financial plans, try moving your wedding time to early afternoon. Receptions held at that time typically offer hors d’oeuvres instead of a meal, which can reduce your cost tremendously.

Memorable Wedding Favors

Who said distinctive wedding favors have to cost a fortune? There are countless options when it comes to finding personalized, unique wedding favors your guests will adore.

While personalized napkins and matches are reception mainstays, you might also want to add personalized votive candles, Hershey kisses, and chocolate bars. Guests always appreciate gourmet coffee and tea selections, as well as individual-sized honey jars that bear the names of you and your groom. These are creative ways to offer guests a memorable - albeit thrifty - keepsake of your special day.

Following these simple suggestions can help you relax and enjoy your wedding day while still keeping your budget in tact. And with all the money you save, you might just be able to extend your honeymoon!



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Deborah Collins is Creative Consultant for FavorFavor.com specializing in creative, unique wedding favors for every budget. Visit them today at http://www.favorfavor.com to browse their huge selection of affordable wedding favors that will make your special day memorable. © 2007, All Rights Reserved



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/wedding-favors-and-gifts-that-truly-say-thank-you.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/wedding-favors-and-gifts-that-truly-say-thank-you.html Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
It goes without saying that each couple wants their wedding day to be perfect. The music should be memorable, the ceremony - moving, and the pictures should capture the immense joy that comes from celebrating a new life together. The world should seem to revolve around you and your groom. However, in addition to the two of you, there are others who helped make this momentous day a success. You'll want the ones who mean the most to you to have something that says “thank you” and serves as a reminder of their part in this important day. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But how do you decide what a perfect - and affordable - wedding favor will be?

Most couples want their guests to have wedding favors they can take home. However, you may not be sure exactly what to buy for everyone. Try something edible. There are truly creative wedding favors that can reflect your personality while also delighting your guests. For instance, you might have yours and your groom's names printed on Hershey's Kisses chocolate candies, or on miniature or full-sized chocolate bars. These are delightful when scattered across the reception tables or gathered into creative arrangements.

You might consider filling inexpensive, plastic champagne flutes with Kisses and miniatures then tying a simple bow around the stem. You could group several small chocolates into mesh bundles or design tiny baskets that hold one full-sized bar and several miniatures.

The labels on petite jars of honey as well as individual packages of coffee or tea can be printed with your names and wedding date. Since many people flavor their tea and coffee with honey, the three can combine to make a welcome wedding favor guests will cherish. Place coffee and tea packages along with one jar of honey into a mug with a whimsical heart-shaped coffee scoop or teaspoon. Rather do espresso? Charming espresso cup sets make wonderful wedding favors as well.

Bookmarks, picture frames and scented candles are also beautiful wedding favors that won't break your bank.

For The Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor

How do you say “thank you” for the friendship and support bridesmaids and the maid of honor offer during your wedding season? You'll want their gifts to be personal and heartfelt: something that will convey your appreciation. Depending on your budget, you could give them each a faux pearl or other type necklace, bracelet or earrings to be worn during the ceremony. Additional suggestions include scented candles, silver trinket boxes or small crystal vases.

For The Groomsmen and Best Man

A great way to show your appreciation could be with engraved drinking glasses, personalized mugs or unique key chains with flashlights or "tools" attached. Bottle openers, wine stoppers and pens are also possibilities.

Showing your appreciation to guests and attendants can be done with elegance, style and affordability. With so many options to choose from, the difficult part won't be finding wedding favors, it will be deciding which of the many creative alternatives to buy.



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Deborah Collins is Creative Consultant for FavorFavor.com specializing in creative, personalized wedding favors for every budget. Visit them today at http://www.favorfavor.com to browse their huge selection of affordable wedding favors that will make your special day memorable. © 2007, All Rights Reserved



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/marketing/ribbon-lapel-pins-show-support-for-important-causes.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/marketing/ribbon-lapel-pins-show-support-for-important-causes.html Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Colors send distinct messages. Subconsciously, we've been trained to respond in a variety of ways to practically every color of the rainbow. For instance, green is almost always associated with "go" (green lights), the coming of spring as well as freshness and also trust. Orange, according to color psychologists, denotes energy and enthusiasm. This is probably why the champions of causes chose to use colored ribbons when supporting their beliefs.

As far back as 1917, singer/songwriter George Norton penned the song, "'Round Her Neck She Wears A Yellow Ribbon." A revised version was later used in the movie "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon." The words recount the tale of a young girl waiting for the return of her love who was serving in the military. In 1979, yellow ribbons saw resurgence as Penne Laingen tied this symbol around her tree when her husband, US diplomat Bruce Laingen, was held captive during the Iran hostage crisis.

But yellow isn't the only symbol of hope. What's the first thought that comes to mind when you see a pink ribbon? Breast cancer. In 1992, at the hands of Self magazine editor Alexandra Penney and cosmetic giant Estee Lauder, the ribbon symbol was adopted as the icon for the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign. The color pink was chosen and the new emblem was quickly adopted by the American public.

There are others as well… many others. Red was chosen as the ribbon color for Aids awareness because it represents passion. Yellow was chosen for military support because it is the official color of the U.S. Calvary.

Ribbons or Lapel Pins

While many people actually purchase and cut pieces of ribbon to pin to their lapels, others have opted for a more convenient method. While cloth ribbons wear out quickly, purchasing custom ribbon lapel pins gives you a permanent piece of jewelry to wear repeatedly. Whichever option you choose, wearing awareness ribbons will show your support for immensely worthwhile causes.

Internationally - in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and other countries - ribbons have swept our awareness… just as they were meant to do. Here's a comprehensive list of ribbon colors and what the organizations/diseases represent.

RED: Aids Awareness

BLACK: Aids Remembrance or Mourning

PINK: Breast Cancer

YELLOW: Military Support

LIGHT BLUE: Prostate Cancer

TEAL: Ovarian Cancer

GOLD: Child Cancer

GREY: Diabetes or Brain Cancer

GREEN: Leukemia or Organ & Tissue Donor

LIGHT PURPLE: Lupus or Alzheimer's

PURPLE: Disabled Children, Domestic Violence, Religious Tolerance

DARK BLUE: Child Abuse, Crime Victim's Rights, Colon Cancer

WHITE: Gender Violence

ORANGE: Animal Protection

GREEN & BLUE: Mental Health Awareness

RED, WHITE & BLUE: Patriotism

JIGSAW PUZZLE: Autism

BURGUNDY: Brain Aneurysm, Hospice Care

LAVENDER: Cancer Awareness

PERIWINKLE: Eating Disorders

BROWN: Anti-Tobacco

LACE: Osteoporosis

PINK & BLUE: Miscarriage, Infant Death

Do you know someone who suffers from a disease or condition? Are you holding a rally or charity event to raise money for research? Would you like to show your support of others? Schools, businesses, organizations and individuals are all joining forces to show the world what they believe in by wearing ribbon lapel pins. Won't you join them?



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Caryn Smith is Manager of Lapel Pins R Us. When you need affordable awareness ribbons, lapel pins are an excellent option. Visit http://www.lapelpinsrus.com today for custom ribbon lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed! © 2007, All Rights Reserved


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