Say Your Own Vows – Personalized Wedding Vows

Your wedding is your own.  And in today’s society, people have been constantly scouring every book for any way to make their wedding as personal and as unique as possible.  One way to do this is to whip up your own wedding vows.

Traditionally, couples to be wed do not have much of a say in what goes into many of the words spoken during the wedding ceremony.  Today, it is increasingly getting easier to personalize and influence what is said during the ceremony – within reasonable bounds, though.

If you desire to make your wedding vows unique and personal, you are not alone.  Many other couples incorporate feelings, and intimate messages into their wedding vows.  It has an added effect of making your wedding more touching, dramatic, and memorable.

Talk with the Officiant Ahead of Time
If you would like to personalize your wedding vows, first notify your Officiant to find out the legalities, guidelines and rules in drafting your own wedding vows.  He or she will typically give pointers and examples to help you draw up your own vows.  Furthermore, the Officiant will inform you of the parts of the vow that are expected to be said.

The Topic
It may include promises, such as “I will swear upon my life to do …” or it may be heartfelt messages for each other, or even hopes for each other plans for the future and such.  You may also opt to create a mixture of each to spice up your wedding vows.  Although norms vary from culture to culture, as a general rule, the wedding vow should not take too long to recite.  Keep it concise yet meaningful.  Remember, you will have to recite this, and long recitations tend to make the memory suffer.

Make it Official
After creating a draft of the vows you wish to exchange, it would do well to meet up with the Officiant again and show him a draft of your vows.  Although in the end, it is ultimately your decision that is followed, do take heed of the Officiant’s advice, as it is usually sound and has been honed by experience.

Practice<br>
It is a good idea to practice your vows before the wedding.  Although there is no rule against reading vows, a thoroughly practiced, heartfelt rendition of the vow will definitely make a lasting impact on your partner and the people witnessing the ceremony.  As mentioned earlier, avoid overly long vows as they tend to be less remembered and are harder to memorize, not to mention quite inconvenient to others.  You may do so, however, if you feel the need is justified.

The Performance
When reciting your vows during the wedding, always keep calm. People who are tense tend to speak to fast, and since the wedding vow is a very important part of the wedding, you will want to take your time in the spotlight.  Loosen up, so that in case you forget a line or two during the exchange of vows, you will at least be able to bounce back with something from your heart.  If you desire so, you may also keep a written version of you vows with you.  You might want to read it surreptitiously though.

Good luck on your wedding, and may the sweet words you utter during the exchange of vows never lose their meaning for rest of your days!

Choosing the perfect wedding venue

You’ve found the perfect groom. You’ve bought the perfect dress. You’re expecting a perfect wedding. Now all you need is the perfect wedding venue. Having a perfect wedding relies largely on having a perfect venue. That’s why you should treat finding a wedding venue as if you are buying a new house. It is, after all, where you will receive and treat your friends and relatives in probably the most memorable night of your life.

Here are some tips to help you search for that perfect wedding venue.

Trust your instincts. As soon as you arrive in a particular venue you will automatically have a certain feeling towards it. You have to trust your instinct. If you feel a certain positive vibration to the venue then that’s a good start. In the same way, you will know automatically if a certain venue is not right for you and your wedding. This doesn’t mean though that you should not be logical in choosing a wedding venue. It’s the place where you will exchange vows with the man you love so it has to feel right.

Take your time. Don’t ever rush in choosing the perfect wedding venue. A wedding is a very important event so take time to get the venue right. Ideally, you should start looking for a venue at least a year before the wedding date. This would give you enough time to make the right decisions and change the venue in case anything happens.

Consider the size.  The size of the venue is a very important consideration. If the venue is too small, the wedding will loose its intimacy. If it’s too big, it will be cramped and uncomfortable. The size of your wedding will depend of course on the number of your guests. So before looking for a wedding you must at least have a rough idea of how many guests you will be planning to invite. Be as precise as possible. You cannot say that you’re planning to invite from 200 to 500 guests. The 300 person difference would matter a lot in terms of the venue size. You must also leave ample space for the dance area. The more guests you have, the larger space you need to allot for the dance area.

Check the parking space.  One of the complaints of people who have attended weddings is the lack of parking space. Be sure that the wedding venue you will choose has ample space for all of your guests. Parking may be a minor consideration but it can spell the difference between a happy guest and a dissatisfied one.

Know the restrictions of the venue.  Be sure to ask about the restrictions of a wedding venue if there are any. There may be restrictions about noise so you might not be able to employ a band or even a sound system. Some venues have time restrictions while some would allow you to party all night long. There are even venues with decorations restrictions. Check if the wedding venue would allow you to bring your own caterer, florist, decorator, etc because there are venues that have preferred contractors and suppliers.

Draw a layout of your wedding. Have a layout of your wedding. Before choosing a wedding venue, you must already have a layout (either on your mind or drawn into paper) of your wedding. You must know where you want gusts to sit, the reception area, the dining area, etc. Then check if the venue fits your layout.

Tips When Doing Wedding Toasts

Wedding toasts perform an essential role during the wedding celebration.  The wedding toast serves as a link between the formal wedding ceremonies and the less formal atmosphere of the wedding reception.

The wedding toast also allows some members of the family, relatives and closest friends to express their feelings and to wish the couple well.

Having toasts started from the belief that creating some noise, such as ringing a bell, in this case, the clinking of a glass, can cast away evil spirits.

The wedding toast may follow a traditional or a non-traditional order.

In the traditional order, the first toast is the toast to the bride or the toast to the bride and groom.  This is done by the best man, a relative or a friend.  The groom then responds with a message to his bride, the person who made the toast, the couple's parents and a toast to the bridesmaids.

The best will then respond to thank the groom on behalf of the bridesmaids.  At times, if the bride has spoken after the groom, the best man will thank the bridesmaids.

A close friend or relative may then follow with another toast.  After this, the father of the bride thanks the guests on behalf of his wife and himself, and announces that they can begin with the celebration.

The non-traditional toast is done to do something different from the tradition.  The order may be changed to suit the guests and the occasion.

The emcee proposes the first toast for the couple.  The groom then thanks the emcee and the guests and toasts to his bride.  The bride thanks her groom and the guests and proposes a toast to her parents and her in-laws.  At times, a special toast may be done for her in-laws.

The father of the bride thanks the bride for the toast, thanks the guests for attending and announces that the celebration may begin.  At times, the emcee may propose a toast to the bridesmaids, after which the maid of honor may respond with thanks or propose another toast.  The emcee may introduce guests who will propose their toasts, and announce the beginning of the celebration.

Here are some tips when proposing a toast.

* The bride should be served the beverage first, followed by the groom, the maid of honor, the parents and then the best man.

* The toast can be done with a sip of wine, champagne or a non-alcoholic drink except coffee, tea and water.

* If you will propose the first toast, make sure that not only your glass, but also all the other glasses are filled before you start speaking.

* When proposing a toast, raise your glass with your right hand.  The glass should be held in a straight line from the shoulder.

* It is better to compose your own wedding toast.  However, if you cannot write a good one, you can try traditional wedding toast but make sure to personalize it to include your feelings and thoughts about the bride and groom.

* Always remember to end a toast with an invitation to the guests to join you and something that tells them what to say in response.

These are some things that one should remember when proposing a wedding toast.  On the other hand, if you received a toast, you do not raise your glass, stand, nor sip your drink.  You just thank the toasters and although you are not required, you may propose another toast.

The Important Factor in a Wedding Speech

In any speaking engagement, one of the most important factor (and the most neglected, too) is the audience. People are so worried about the speech itself that they tend to forget the real factor that will affect the whole execution of the speech.

There are many kinds of speeches and one of them is the wedding speech. It is that part of the weeding that everybody is so excited to hear.

In a wedding, there are three primary wedding speeches that will be heard. The first one will be coming from the bride’s father. This is usually the most emotional speech and the most unforgettable one. It becomes so touchy when the father includes in his speech how he is endorsing his daughter to his husband.

The second part of the wedding speech is the groom’s speech. Here, he will thank his parents for all the love and care. He will also thank all those who made the celebration possible and memorable.

And last is the best man’s speech. Usually, this type of wedding speech is the most enlightening one because it entails the lighter side of the event. The best man will tell stories about the groom and his crazy antics.

Of all these wedding speeches, the audience should be the primary factor that should be considered when making the wedding speech. Through the analysis of the audience, the speaker will be able to identify which things that should be said and which things that should be left out.

In most cases, the most common misconception of most wedding speakers about wedding speeches is that they thought that they are speaking before the bride and the groom only, which should not be the case. The wedding speech should be delivered to the whole guests. In fact, the impression most wedding speakers make would reflect back to the bride and groom.

For example, if you are to make a wedding speech and you have thought of including some jokes that you think would make the couple happy, try to think of the audience first if it will make them happy too. There may be instances wherein your joke will not amuse the elderly ones who will be present at the wedding.

Problems and conflicts may happen just because of the wedding speech you have made. So, it is extremely important to make a speech that will focus on the general interest of the audience and not centered on the bride and groom or to your own judgment of what you think would be funny and okay.

Another misconception that wedding speakers usually make is that they tend to think that wedding speeches are not all worth the trouble. That is why most of them would not make a speech that is well-thought of, with words that are carefully chosen, and the idea creatively generated to come up with a good speech.

Usually, they would make a speech that they think will do for the time being. Just to get over it, they would just think of mentioning some stories and that is it.

What matters most in a wedding speech is the reaction and impression that the audience will have on your wedding speech. Just like the way you want to talk to your boss or your colleague and consider their feelings and principles is also the same way you should be delivering your speech. You should also consider the audience’s feelings and beliefs.

Moreover, you should know how to identify with the audience. Through identification you will be able to come up with a wedding speech wherein the audience can relate to whatever stories or information that you will be telling them.

So, now you know how important wedding speeches can be, it is important to take note of the most important factor before making a wedding speech — the audience. And because wedding speeches are important part of the wedding, it should never be taken for granted.

Wedding songs to celebrate the day

Wedding songs play a vital role throughout the entire wedding day. Wedding songs help create the mood and ambience of the day from start to end. Choosing the right wedding songs can also help accentuate the emotional significance of the occasion for a more memorable celebration.

In earlier years many weddings showcased traditional wedding songs. However, nowadays there is no limit to the type of wedding songs that couples can choose to play on their wedding day. Selecting wedding songs is also one of the fun things that couples can do to prepare for their wedding day.

Most couples prefer choosing wedding songs that have a significant meaning to them in order to create a more unique and personal atmosphere for their wedding day. A song that was played on their first date or songs of the couple's favorite artist are typical selections for wedding songs of many couples.

Things to remember when selecting wedding songs

When selecting wedding songs, it is important to take into consideration the venue for the ceremony. Most wedding ceremonies often take place in a church, couples should first check with the minister if there are any restrictions to the type of wedding songs that can be played. Some churches have concerns regarding the kind of wedding songs that should be played during the sacrament of matrimony.

Other venues may not have a strict policy regarding the variety of wedding songs to be played. However it is still a good idea to choose wedding songs for the ceremony that would not turn the occasion into a comedy act. It is best to reserve the entertaining wedding songs for the reception where everyone can cut loose to the music.

Another important factor to consider is the selection of the band or DJ who will play the wedding songs during the reception. Couples with a more traditional wedding theme may opt for a classical ensemble to perform wedding songs at their reception. For an intimate gathering a solo pianist, flute trio or string quartet serve as an ideal choice to play classical wedding songs.

For a more contemporary wedding theme, there are a number of professional bands that cater specifically to wedding receptions. Couples can also choose to hire a DJ to play wedding songs at the reception.

Planning the wedding songs

Couples need to select a number of wedding songs for different parts of the wedding. There are essentially six parts of the wedding ceremony that would require music. The type of wedding songs for the prelude music is used to welcome family and friends to the ceremony. Happy and festive wedding songs can help set the tone for the entire wedding day.

Wedding songs for the processional of the wedding party marks the start of the ceremony. The songs are meant to usher in the wedding party and to prepare the guests for the entrance of the bride. The bride's processional is the critical moment of the ceremony. Though many would opt for the traditional bridal march, it is also a good idea to select different wedding songs that can make it more memorable.

The interludes are the various moments during the ceremony wherein a number of wedding songs can help enhance the overwhelming emotion of the occasion. Wedding songs during the recessional should be festive to celebrate the official union of the couple. The postlude wedding songs are meant to create a pleasant atmosphere to thank guests for coming to the ceremony.

Wedding Shoes, buying and preparation

A bride should be blooming and perfect, just like the wedding and the wedding day, and for a perfect bride, there should be perfect wedding shoes. To help you in buying the perfect pair here is a guide that you can follow to buy that perfect pair for that very special day.

Choosing a color

There are different shades of white, diamond white, pearl white, satin white, etc. If you’re all for a traditional wedding you can have white, but if you’re one of the radials who like colorful gowns instead of plain white ones, you can still match the color of your shoes to your gown.

Style

Aside from color, style should be your next priority, your shoes should fit the occasion and the place, and if you have a garden wedding or a beach wedding it’s not advisable to wear stilettos. For an evening event, you can use strappy evening sandals. Remember both shoe and dress need not be fancy, quite the opposite, wear fancy shoes for a simple dress and simple shoes for an extravagant dress, so that they sort of balance each other.

Comfort

Now after choosing the style and color, you must try your shoes on, remember you’d be wearing your shoes for the whole day, and maybe on the reception as well, you’d be expected to be in those shoes for more than four hours, and during the reception, might be asked to dance in them, you don’t want to get blisters on your special day so make sure that your shoes a re comfortable.

Also, buy shoes towards the end of the day. The foot expands during the course of the day and you want to buy shoes when your feet are at its largest size.

* Tip: Wear your shoes inside the house before the wedding, do this until you can wear your shoes for 4-5 hours without hurting, this’ll make sure that the shoes are soft and comfortable on your wedding day, just don’t wear them outside.

Your dress and your shoes

Fabric

Wedding shoes should also match your dress, the type of fabric for your shoes is usually determined by the type of fabric of the hem of your gown. Wear satin shoes for shiny fabrics and lacy shoes for a lacy gown. You can also use crepe shoes for fabrics that have a matte finish.

Details

If you want details on your shoes like crystals or rhinestones, make sure that the color , sheen and style match those of your dress, don’t wear bejeweled shoes on a gown that doesn’t have a single bit of crystal on it or you’ll look like an upside down lampshade when the lights hit you.

Extra shoes

If you think that your dancing shoes should be different than your actual wedding shoes, and you’d want an extra one, make sure that the heels of your extra shoes match those of your actual shoes so that your gown doesn’t look too short or too long when you wear them.

Alterations

Remember to bring your shoes with you when you’re getting your dress made or altered, this’ll make sure that the length of your gown matches the heels of your shoes, you won’t want your dress to drag or to look like its too short don’t you?

Planning Your Memorable Wedding

You have finally said, "Yes."  This is the start of your life as a couple.  And prior to that much-awaited big day, you, both the bride and groom have so many decisions to make and wedding-related tasks to complete.

Preparing for your wedding day need not be stressful.  On the other had, it should be fun and memorable.  And to do this, start off by putting together a wedding timetable.

A short list of wedding-related tasks as well as a rough estimate of when the activities should be done follows. It presents tips and guidelines to keep you organized and help you think of all the matters that you must take into consideration in the course of planning for your big day.  Of course, these are mere suggestions.  All activities and schedule are still up to the couple to decide on depending on their priorities.

At the Time of the Engagement
- You must tell your parents the happy news as soon as possible that is if they don't already know.  If you were having an engagement party, it would be good to keep your close friends and relatives in the know, too.
- An organizer would be best to have in handy.  This will help you keep track of all the appointments, payments and other wedding-related activities that you must attend to.
- Have your engagement photo taken.  This would be nice to have as a keepsake of this wonderful occasion.

6 to 12 Months In Advance Before the Big Day

- The couple should have already picked and decided on the wedding date.  Do the reservation for the venue where the ceremony and reception is to be held.
- Set an appointment with the wedding officiant.
- Establish a budget for the wedding, and try as much as possible to stick to it.
- Prepare a wedding guest list.  You wouldn't want to leave somebody uninvited unintentionally.
- Look around for a photographer, florists, musicians, and a caterer.  Obtain estimates for these services.
- Register at the bridal gift registry.
- Pick a wedding dress and accessories to go with it.  If you are having a seamstress make you one, this is the time to have it arranged.  Several fittings may be required for this.
- For the bride, select your bridesmaids.  Set a date for ordering dresses for them.

4 to 6 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Have the invitations, stationeries, and thank you notes ordered.
- The photographer, florist, musician, and caterer should have already been chosen. Go over details with each of these services to make sure that everything is as agreed upon.
- For the groom, select attire.
- Honeymoon reservations should be made already at this point.
- Confirm the delivery of the bridal gown.

2 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Plan your rehearsal dinner.
- If you are having out-of-town attendants, arrange for their lodging.
- Make an appointment with your chosen photographer for the shooting of the bridal portrait.<br>
- Order the wedding cake.

1 Month In Advance Before the Big Day
- The couple should decide on a wedding band set.
- Mail the invitations.
- Check the apparel for the wedding party.
- The couple attends showers.

2 Weeks Before the Wedding.
- It is time to apply for marriage license and attend to other legal matters, especially for the bride - name and address changes on bank accounts and other official documents.
- Plan a wedding hairstyle and make-up with your stylist.
- Check with the caterer and the reception venue for last minute changes.

1 Week Before the Wedding
- Do your honeymoon packing.
- Wrap gifts for the groom and attendants.
- Schedule the wedding rehearsal.
- Remind the wedding party of the exact time and place for the occasion.

On Wedding Day
- Take breakfast!  Fainting on the aisle wouldn't be cool.
- Have your hair and make-up done.
- Shake off all your wedding details worries and enjoy your day.