Couples tend to put a great deal of time into planning out their wedding program. The wedding program outlines all the details and events which will take part during the day and in what order. It should also tell which guests people should expect amongst other things. Making sure that your guests know what to expect from the festivities is important to avoid any unexpected surprises. Your wedding program should thus be interesting and informative, not to mention superbly presented.

For starters, you should place plenty of trust in your imagination, since this is set to be your dream day and one of the most important of your life. Whatever type of wedding you are going for, you should make sure that your planning is well thought out and consistent. Make sure you don’t miss anything. Make a brainstorm, write notes, draw pictures to give you some ideas if you are lacking inspiration.

A wedding program will generally include a number of things other than just the sequence of events. You may also want to write down the names of the songs which you have chosen for the service. The program may also contain the chosen menu for the reception. The program gives you a chance to share some of the meanings behind the decorations and other things which you have chosen for your wedding.

Some couples include poems in their programs or something else that might be interesting and meaningful to the guests. Choose something that is appropriate to your unique situation. It is also a place to express your thanks to guests who are attending.

Make sure you take plenty of care to structure the program well, since you certainly do not be wanting to lead your guests astray because they were not familiar with the schedule. Don’t forget that the wedding program has a number of practical purposes as well.

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Face it; weddings are extremely expensive no matter which way you look at it. There are a ton of things that you need to take into consideration and purchase. One of those things are going to be wedding centerpieces and if you are like many of the brides and grooms out there today, you are probably looking to save a little cash and stay within your budget.

Centerpieces are certainly the thing that can tie an entire room together and they really do make the entire table look incredible. However, you do not have to spend a whole lot of money in order to get some really great looking centerpieces; you just have to use your mind. That is what we are going to explore together here.

The theme of your wedding is going to be a very important aspect whenever you are dealing with centerpieces. After all, the centerpieces are most likely going to be made around the theme of your wedding, so you should absolutely make sure that you come up with that firstly.

Next, after your theme is chosen, you want to think about what you want for your centerpieces exactly. If you like flowers, by all means, flowers are definitely a popular choice for centerpieces for a wedding, however, you will need to see how much they are if you want to stay on budget. If you do not want flowers, there are a couple other things that you can do.

For example, making your own centerpieces is a fantastic idea. Not only can it save you a lot of money, but when you get your wedding party involved, it does not take all that much time and you will have some inexpensive wedding centerpieces in the end!

Well ladies and gentlemen; it is pretty obvious from this article that you do not have to spend a whole bunch of money in order to have some incredible centerpieces for your wedding. Just keep these tips and tricks in mind and you should have no problems at all staying within your budget!

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After spending months on planning a perfect wedding, you wedding day is getting close! You have everything ready. Now, it’s time to pack your bridal emergency kit to ensure you will have a stress free and disaster-free day.

Two weeks before your wedding day, you can start picking up a few things from the list here and there while you’re out.  Rest assured, all of these suggestions will eventually be used since they are all everyday items.

What should be included in your bridal emergency kit?

• a tote bag to hold the items (zip closure is better)
• makeup bag (put sample size makeup and skin care items)
• Straws (so you can drink without messing up your lipstick)
• insect repellent (for outdoor weddings – be sure to test the scent)
• white chalk / baby powder (to hide stains)
• pantyhose
• clear nail polish (to repair a manicure or pantyhose)
• instant stain remover (such as a Tide pen)
• safety pins
• nail file or emery board
• miniature sewing kit
• fabric tape
• scissors
• breath mints
• tampons and pads
• pain reliever
• dental floss
• tweezers
• baby wipes
• comb/brush
• hair spray
• hair pins/bobby pins
• antacid
• tissues
• crackers / power bars
• batteries and memory card (for digital camera)
• ink pen
• a list of phone numbers for all of your wedding vendors and your attendants
• contact lens solution
• eye drops
• duct tape
• scotch tape
• dark socks (in case you have any forgetful groomsmen)
• extra car keys
• bottle water

Keep the emergency kit handy throughout the day.  Rest assured, you will have a perfect and stress free wedding day.

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While the bride and groom are undoubtedly the centre of attention in any wedding, wedding decorating is still very important. To enhance the whole moment, wedding decorations add to the overall elegance of the place. If you want to feel comfortable, and impress your guests on the special day, then you’ll be wanting to pay a great deal of attention to your wedding decorations.

The decorations for your wedding basically define the atmosphere of the scenario and should be carefully chosen. Whatever type of wedding it is, you will probably be wanting to lavishly decorate it in some way. Depending on the type of wedding, you will find that more elaborate and formal decorations are better suited to church weddings. If you are having your ceremony outdoors, such as on a beach, then decorations tend to be more casual.

For church weddings, decoration is generally considered far more important and couples often put a great deal of time into planning every detail. The first thing that your guests will notice will be the decorations on the entrance. Altars, pews and chairs also tend to be adorned with decorations, which tend to me more lavish depending on the style and size of the church.

The wedding reception is also a main target for decoration. Here you will be concentrating on the tables and the wedding cake more than just the room itself. You may want candles on the tables or small lamps of some kind. You will be thinking about such details as how to fold the napkins and have the food and drink presented.

The most important thing to think about when choosing wedding decorations is what type of wedding you want. Different types of decorations fit into different types of weddings. Maybe you are planning a fairy-tale wedding, or something more minimalist or something very traditional. Either way, you should be considering the overall atmosphere of your wedding when choosing the decorations.

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Every single member of the wedding party has an important role, including the very youngest of attendants, adorable the ring bearer. Here is a helpful guide to choosing your ring bearer, what’s expected of them, and how to prepare them for this most special of occasions.

Choosing Your Ring Bearer

Nephews, brothers, cousins, and godsons are usually chosen for the ring bearer, however, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a young female serve as one if desired, or if there isn’t a little boy in the family to fill the role. Or, if you’re having difficulty choosing one child over another, avoid any possible conflict and ask both of them to serve as dual ring bearers as there’s no set rule or standard for the number of attendants one should have in their wedding party.

One of the greatest things about planning your wedding is that it’s YOUR wedding, and although there are numerous traditions and rituals that commonly take place, ultimately it’s up to you and your fiancé to decide what you’d like to have included as a part of your special day.

Although ring bearers are usually under the age of eight or nine, with some as young as two or three years old, keep in mind that you’ll want the child to have a good understanding of what’s going on, and what they’ll be expected to do during the ceremony. The child should be old enough to actually participate, as well as be able to interact with strangers, but remember, if at the last moment he or she chooses not to cooperate and throws a temper tantrum, simply smile, move on, and enjoy your day.

When choosing your ring bearer, you’ll also want to make decisions regarding who is responsible for paying for or ordering the child’s outfit, depending on if they’ll be wearing a rented tuxedo, or a plain suit and tie.

Preparing Your Ring Bearer for the Big Day

The ring bearer should be present at the wedding rehearsal, and also given some extra time and plenty of patience when practicing and preparing for the big day. Ask your fiancé to recruit one of his groomsmen on the big day to serve as a buddy or friend for the ring bearer to look to for help, or just for some additional reassurance if need be. And, if your ceremony is on the long side, or if your ring bearer is very young, it’s helpful to have the parents sitting close by and allowing the child to take a seat instead of standing up with the rest of the wedding party.

The Role of the Ring Bearer

The ring bearer has the important role of carrying the rings down the aisle after the bridesmaids, either with or without the flower girl, usually on a decorative pillow. In most cases, the rings attached to the pillow are plastic, serving as replicas for the real wedding rings that will be held safe by the Best Man until it’s time to present them to the groom during the ceremony.

After the ceremony is over and the pictures are taken, the ring bearer’s duties are complete and won’t be needed in the receiving line, or required to sit at the bridal table at the reception, except in the case of a parent also being a member of the wedding party. Also, allowing the children to change into more comfortable, and less expensive, clothing is a good idea to consider, especially in the case of rented tuxedos.

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Although both males and females serve as ring bearers, as the name implies, only little girls should be appointed the role of flower girl. Flower girls are usually between the ages of four and eight, although it’s not uncommon to see children as young as two toddling down the aisle, scattering petals of flowers as they go. For the best outcome, it’s always recommended to choose a girl that’s old enough to understand what’s happening, what’s going to be expected of her, as well as one who will be comfortable around strangers without becoming frightened.

Preparing Your Flower Girl for the Big Day

In many regions throughout the world, some brides are choosing to have all flower girls in their bridal party instead of bridesmaids as their attendants, but this does add the responsibility of helping with the planning of the wedding, and all of the other details the adult bridesmaids usually take care of.

There is no also set rule regarding the number of flower girls that should be in a wedding party, so if you’re having difficulty choosing between two nieces, why not ask both to be a part of your special day?

While the bride is the one who decides what the flower girl should wear for the wedding, it’s generally up to the child’s parents to pay for the outfit, shoes, and whatever accessories may be needed. Considerate brides will be sure to choose a dress that the child may be able to wear again to another important event, or one that’s reasonably priced. However, it’s not unusual for the bride and groom to offer to pay for the flower girl’s dress as a gift or token of their appreciation, while this is a nice gesture, it’s certainly not a requirement.

This matter should definitely be decided long in advance so that everyone is clear of what’s expected of them and to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion.

There many books on the subject of flower girls and their role in a wedding that are written with young children in mind, designed to ease their fears and also completely explain what they should expect. Also, having a talk with your littlest member of the bridal party, and of course with her parents, giving everyone plenty of time to ask questions if necessary should be on your list of things to do when planning the wedding.

On the actual day of the wedding, ask another bridesmaid, or perhaps a junior bridesmaid to “buddy up” with your flower girl, just in case she needs a little help, an encouraging smile, or a hand to hold.

The Role of the Flower Girl

Traditionally, the flower girl precedes the bride down the aisle, and then stands with the bridesmaids during the wedding ceremony. Some brides choose to have the flower girl follow the bridesmaids, while others decide for her to go first, or be accompanied by the maid of honor.

While flower girls should be present at the wedding rehearsal, it isn’t necessary for them to attend the rehearsal dinner, or to stand in the receiving line at the wedding. After the pictures are taken, they should be free to enjoy the wedding with the rest of the guests, and many parents find it incredibly easier to bring along another outfit for the reception for the child to change into, saving her dress, and also allowing for extra comfort.

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Although unfortunately many of the traditional rituals and customs that were once an integral part of Chinese wedding ceremonies have been forgotten or overlooked throughout time and the ages, with a bit of creativity, it’s completely possible to merge two cultures together, honoring both while having your own unique and beautiful Chinese-American wedding.

Tea ceremonies, Chinese wedding banquets, and Western buffets or traditions can all be included in your special day, provided you’re open minded and willing to explore all of your options when planning this momentous event.

Combining Tradition

Before attempting to plan a Chinese-American wedding, take the necessary time to fully understand the meaning behind the customs that you’d like to incorporate into your wedding ceremony. Often times, second and third generations don’t know of or understand the rituals and customs that were, and are so very important to their ancestors.

Modern Chinese-American brides usually wear at least three different outfits on their wedding day, which is actually quite a decline from the 20 or 30 dresses that brides in years past used to wear. And, while white has always been a color that’s reserved for funerals, and red is worn for good luck and happiness, many brides today have chosen to eschew these traditions and wear whatever color they like most.

Chinese-American Wedding Decor

Thanks to their sheer beauty and elegance, and also the recent boost in popularity, Asian themed decorations are in abundance and rather easy to find. Following tradition, Chinese wedding favors and decorations are lively in color, with plenty of vibrant reds as this color holds deep meaning, symbolizing love, prosperity, and joy. .

Red banners, also known as happiness banners, are an important part of the decorations used in both the reception, as well as in the newly married couples home, and feature words of praise and congratulations written on both sides, usually in traditional Chinese lettering. .

The Flowers

The flowers are yet another way of incorporating your culture into your wedding day. While you will want to choose flowers that fit with the overall theme of the wedding, or those that may be favorites of yours, you may also want to include some of the following that are often used in traditional Chinese weddings:

• Daffodils: Also known as jonquil and narcissus, these flowers represent joyful change and are best for weddings held during the spring months.
• Lotus Blossoms: The lotus represents four different virtues in Buddhism, loveliness, purity, scent, and softness, and these flowers hold a rather important place in Asian cultures. Use in bouquets, or floating in glass bowls of plain or colored water.
• Orchids: Orchids are the Chinese symbol of fertility and love, making them the perfect addition for a wedding. Besides decorative bouquets, these flowers also make excellent corsages.
• Peonies: These beautiful flowers symbolize renewal and are perfect for decorating with as they can be found in many colors and in several interesting varieties.

Using just a bit of forethought and planning, you can be sure to honor both of your cultures at your wedding, merging them together into one beautiful union on this most important day in your lives.

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