Getting Hitched

Novel Wedding Ideas

2011-09-23T23:21:00.001+08:00

When you're planning a wedding, a great resource to have is access to poster printing to help you create your "larger than life" wedding images. The obvious benefit of custom poster printing is that it won't cost you an arm and a leg and it will definitely help you to keep costs down when it comes to printing custom posters of your wedding photographs for your own keepsake collection. All you have to do is add a nice frame and it can look just as good as a regular photographic enlargement by the wedding studio at a fraction of the price.

So if you're planning your wedding reception, why not consider a bride and groom poster print for the backdrop. After the event, you can take down, have it framed and hang it up as a keepsake of your wedding day.

Some printing agencies not only do poster printing, but they might also do sticker prints. So instead of having a frame pictures of your wedding, you could have a wall sticker instead. One of the downsides of wedding photographs is that they cost a bomb and half the time they hardly get seen. So instead of keeping them hidden, you can print a selection of your favourite photos to be put up as wall stickers for decoration.

How to Make Your Special Day Even More Memorable

2011-09-23T20:28:00.000+08:00

There are lots of little things you can do to enhance the memory of your special day. Here are a couple of ideas I really liked:

Even though the bride and groom are the main attraction at a wedding party, very often they miss out on a lot of the fun goings-on amongst their friends while they are off taking photos, meeting and greeting special guests, etc. One great way to make sure the couple gets a peek at what happened throughout the wedding is to hand out disposable cameras to various friends and family members to take random shots throughout. The bride and groom can then develop the photos after the event to see what everybody got up to.

Some brides rent their dresses, and others buy them. Often, if a dress is bought, it will be kept for years to come as a precious keepsake of her special day. Now she can make her dress even more complete with personalised bridal hangers!

Bridal hangers can be made with general terms, such as "bride" and "groom", or they can be specially made with the bride's new name. Not only will the dress look even better stored with its own personalised hanger, it also serves as a great way to display the dress for the wedding photography.

3 New Trends in Traditional Weddings

2011-08-27T08:04:00.002+08:00

The sweet little flower girl, the bridesmaids in matching gowns, the invitations...a traditional wedding is something a number of girls dream of and strive to have for their own wedding day. At the same time, they'd like to do something a little unique to make the day their own. This is becoming so popular, and we're seeing some amazing trends.

Rings are Looking a Little Different

Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, particularly when it comes to her engagement and wedding rings. Thanks to the royal couple, however, other stones are finding their way onto the hands of newlyweds. Princesses Kate and Diana both wore an engagement ring with a large sapphire in the center. Even men are doing things a little differently. Prince William chose not to have a wedding ring at all.

Involving the Virtual World

The Internet is certainly giving families the opportunity to get closer together, but the same is true of weddings too. Of course, you can host your guest book online, but the latest trends are seeing a lot more of the virtual world being including in weddings. Some great new trends include: streaming the ceremony online, having a place where guests can post messages to the couple, blogs that cover the wedding preparation and honeymoon, virtual invitations, and much more.

Dates, Times and Structure

Weddings were traditionally held on a Saturday afternoon, with a ceremony, reception, meal, and gathering afterward. Now, however, even the most traditional wedding couples are changing the rules. They're getting married under the moonlight, at sunrise, or sunset, on almost any day of the week. And these couples don't necessarily have all the bells and whistles.

Some couples have chosen to have a ceremony, and attend the reception, without making the rest of the events. Some aren't even holding suppers and other events at all. This is a great way to make a traditional wedding meet your needs and personal tastes.

Have you noticed traditional wedding trends recently you'd like to share?

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Monique Trulson works at eInvite.com, an online retailer of wedding invitations, personalized announcements, cards and stationery.

Royal Wedding Invitations

2011-04-25T23:45:00.002+08:00

Royal Wedding Fever is in full bloom as everyone talks about William and Kate's upcoming nuptials. If you've been following the news, you are sure to have heard at least something about the illustrious couple. Even if you have been buried under a rock somewhere, you can easily get up to speed with The Royal Wedding for Dummies guide.

With such a high profile wedding looming, I couldn't help but ponder over what choices I might make if I were in charge of selecting the wedding invitations for the Royal Wedding. For a wedding as formal and old as the monarchy, it would seem that traditional wedding invitations would be most appropriate. However, given the fact that William and Kate are part of the new generation, I'm sure modern wedding invitations wouldn't go astray either.

Although I've always had a penchant for tradition, I think when it comes to wedding invitations, the modern designs are definintely more appealing. Thick, cream coloured, textured paper - or perhaps even pearlescent paper - with gold print and a clever design appropriate for a royal wedding would certainly be the hallmark of such a grand event. This is royal wedding after all and royal weddings should be ostentatious - the kind fairytales are made of. Besides, what might scream as ostentatious for a regular couple is just part and parcel of regular life for a royal couple anyway.

Why not a traditional invitation? Well, traditional wedding invitations seem to me to be too plain, boring and ordinary. And for such a special event - a royal wedding nothing less - certainly the occasion demands for a unique wedding invitation befitting the royal status of the bride and groom.

Unfortunately, it appears that what did come out was thoroughly boring, plain and entirely too traditional. What a shame... You would think they would have come up with something better. Or was there a stuffy reason why they had to be so conservative about it?

Budget Ideas for Planning a Wedding

2010-12-08T23:07:00.002+08:00

Weddings cost a bomb. I think that's probably what scares most couples about getting married. The only thing stopping them from eloping (if they haven't already) is the desire to share a very happy occasion with friends and family - the union of two lives into one.

There are plenty of ways to cut costs on your wedding without compromising on your special day... Here are three ways to reduce costs on what are probably three of the most expensive parts of any wedding.

1. The Wedding Gown

This has got to be without a doubt the most expensive dress a girl will ever wear in her life. It is probably also the only time when she can really justify paying so much for a dress that she'll only ever wear once in her life. And since it is only going to be worn once and probably never again, it is probably a better idea to rent a dress than to have one specially made - especially if you're watching the budget.

There are plenty of bridal shops that rent dresses and there is an enormous selection of dresses out there. If you're patient enough and willing to trawl the stores, you're sure to find one that meets with your expectations without blowing the bank.

Sure we all want to be sentimental and keep our dresses as a keepsake, but it should be noted that it can also be quite costly to look after a wedding dress through the years without it yellowing over time. And if you want your daughter to wear your dress, there are two other things to keep in mind:

1. You might not have a daughter.
2. She might not want to wear your wedding dress (it might not even be the fashion by that time). Besides, you got to choose your dress, let her choose hers.

2. Wedding Flowers

Another heavy expense would have to be the floral decorations. It is worthwhile considering wholesale wedding flowers to help cut back the cost of your flowers.

3. Venue

Think about how many people you are planning to invite. It's your special day so invite only those people you want to share your day with. You don't have to pay for an expensive venue to have a beautiful wedding. A garden wedding can look just as lovely at a fraction of the price that it costs to book a room in an expensive hotel.

If an outdoor wedding isn't your cup of tea, consider booking a school hall. You can decorate the hall to create the ambiance that you want. Remember, it's the memories that you are after, and you can have just as much fun in a school hall as a swish hotel venue.

There are lots of ways to cut back on the costs of a wedding if you're willing to do a little extra and get creative.

Keeping the Relationship Burning

2010-11-14T04:05:00.002+08:00

With the increasing rates of divorce and marital infidelity, it is enough to destroy anyone's confidence in the sanctity of marriage. As we struggle to keep families and relationships intact, the questions that begs an answer is: what are the leading causes of divorce? According to the Journal of Marriage and Family, infidelity, spending money foolishly, drinking or drug use or both, jealousy, moodiness, and irritating habits are contributing factors towards divorce.

Although there are many factors involved, there are many things that can be done to preserve the relationship. Too often, married couples tend to take their relationships for granted. They stop doing all the special things they used to do in the earlier days of their relationship - thoughtful gestures, candle-lit dinners, romantic getaways and intimate time. It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of things and forget to take time out with your partner to get back in touch with the emotions that brought you together in the first place.

For example, just because you've been married for ten years doesn't mean you can't get a little inventive during intimacy. Sometimes adding something new to the experience can re-ignite the excitement of the early days. For individuals who feel a little self-conscious about buying vibrators at an adult shop, there are online stores like Intimate and Sexy which offer complete discretion with your purchases - even your delivery packages come discreetly packaged.

We live in liberating times. Adult toys for enhancing a couple's intimacy are no longer items to be embarrassed about. If you want some extra spice to your relationship, talk to your partner about doing something different. Alternatively, you can add to the excitement and fun by taking the liberty of planning something special. Variety is the spice of life and something a little change can do a lot for your relationship. Remember - don't wait until things get strained before you think of doing something special. From the moment you are married, couples should remember to do something together to keep the flame alive.

Getting an Ex Back

2010-11-08T17:14:00.003+08:00

Before you can walk down the aisle into marital bliss, we all need that special someone that we want to spend the rest of our lives with. Hollywood makes it all seem to wonderful and easy but life is rarely that wonderful or easy. There are often lots of bumps along the incredibly twisted journey of life - some good and some bad. For some of us, the road to wedded bliss is relatively straightforward, but for others, finding that special someone who also wants to spend the rest of their lives with us may not be so straightforward.

These days, with terms such as "one night stands", "friends with benefits", making it to the altar can be quite a challenge. Sometimes we think we've found that special someone but through some unfortunate circumstance, we lost them? Have you ever broken up with a person and wished you could have had a second chance with them? I'm sure many of us have thought about the "one that got away" and wished we could have done things differently.

Interestingly, how to get my ex back is an agency that has been helping couples get back together since 1987. They are so confident of their success that they boast they can even help couples where only one partner is hoping for a second chance. If you have ever hoped to get your ex back, it is definitely worth taking a look at this system:

http://www.howtogetmyexback.com

Everyone deserves a second chance at happiness, don't you think?

The Bridal Shower

2010-07-21T00:16:00.002+08:00

Bridal shower, Hen's night, Bachelorette party - whatever you want to call it - is a special event dedicated to the bride to be just before her wedding day. It is customarily hosted by the bride's matron of honour or bride's maid, and it is an event where the bride is surrounded by her closest friends showing her support for her upcoming wedding.

Historically, the bridal shower is intended to be a gift-giving party where guests provide the bride with gifts for her new home. It is believed that the bridal shower may have had its roots from the old practice of dowry-giving. The bridal shower is intended to support the bride to marry the man of her dreams in the event that her family cannot afford to help her start her own home or if the wedding is not approved of.

These days, the bridal shower is intended to be an event to celebrate the bride's last remaining days as a bachelorette. The main theme to the party are the bridal shower games in which all the guests and the bride participate in.

So when you're planning the bridal shower, it is important to make a list of bridal shower game ideas that you can play at the party as the games can really make or break your party. Remember this is supposed to be a memorable night for the bride so you'll want to make this a party she'll never forget. If you're stuck for ideas, there are many printable bridal shower games and ideas online.

Planning Your Wedding Invitations

2010-07-17T01:08:00.002+08:00

Although many people are moving away from snail mail and turning to the internet as a means for sending out invites, when it comes to your big day, there is still no substitute for good old fashioned wedding invitations with ribbons. It's classic, it's elegant, and stylish. Plus, it's your big day - a once in a lifetime event - so why settle for anything less? Call me backward, but I still believe that only a paper invite can communicate the importance of an event.

When it comes to that special day, we all want the best. Sometimes a budget can get in the way of having what we want. That's where the internet comes in. Wedding invitations are one of easiest items on the wedding planning list to source online. Being able to source it online means you can look for exactly what you want and get it at the best price possible. You can choose to have your invitations anyway you want - with bows, embossed with gold print, or designed with traditional Chinese characters on the front - the possibilities are endless.

How to Get a Girlfriend

2010-07-17T00:54:00.004+08:00

Before we can plan a wedding, we have to have that special partner that we want to spend the rest of our lives with. But how do you find that special someone if you're single and shy? Putting yourself out there isn't necessarily easy for everyone. For some people, it can be a very painful process. And if you want to find the right person, you need to get out there and meet people, so how can you do that?

Although you don't need to learn how to be a pick up artist to be able to find a girlfriend, it doesn't hurt to have a few tips up your sleeve. These days, getting advice is easy. With the availability of the internet, you can learn how to get over your shyness, how to read body language, or even what to text to a girl you've just met.

Where can you go to find advice? Well, pua forums is one place you can visit to find out how to get a girlfriend.

Wedding Insurance - is it Necessary?

2010-06-24T02:34:00.004+08:00

So you've decided to get married and you're planning for your big day. With so many things to think about, I'm sure the last thing you're thinking about is Wedding Insurance. Why would a couple consider purchasing wedding insurance? Weddings are expensive affairs as it is without having to add any unnecessary expenses, right?

Well, there are several reasons why you should consider purchasing wedding insurance. A Wedding may be a once in a lifetime event for many people, but just like planning any other event, there are many things that can go wrong. Although we hope that nothing goes wrong, here are a list of things that could go wrong which can be covered by wedding insurance:

a wedding supplier goes under before your wedding day
your outdoor dream wedding gets washed out by a flood
your beautiful Vera Wang wedding gown gets mauled by your fiance's pet pit bull mastiff
your fiance breaks his leg during his buck's night and ends up in hospital and the wedding has to be postponed

There are many other variations of unforseen circumstances - big and small - that can affect your wedding plans. Wedding insurance is intended to cover the expenses arising from these mishaps. A wedding is a special day for every couple. Having to deal with unfortunate circumstances is difficult enough without having to worry about the financial repercussions that may arise from it. Wedding insurance gives you one less thing to worry about should anything go wrong.

Wedding Planning - The Invitations

2010-05-01T00:12:00.003+08:00

Planning a wedding? There are so many things to think about these days - the wedding invitation, venue, flowers, music, food, car hire, photographer, wedding attire, hair, make-up, and the list goes on.

Well at least there is one thing that is easier to handle these days and that's the wedding invitation. With so many wedding stationery online stores, deciding on your wedding invitation has never been as easy as a click. One of the best and easiest things about going online is that you usually find exactly what you want, be it modern wedding invitations, classic wedding invitations, or perhaps you just want something unique.

Online stores have many advantages over the brick and mortar stores:

You don't have to go traipsing all over town to check out their inventory.
You can easily find the best prices by comparing different websites.
They have larger inventories because they are not limited by physical space.
They can offer better discounts because they have less overheads compared to a brick and mortar store.
You can save a lot of time since you don't have to travel around town to look for your invitations.

So when you're planning your wedding, you should consider looking online for your wedding invitations. Not only are you more likely to find what you want, you can save yourself a lot more time and money as well.

Creative Weddings for Budget Limiting Expenditure

2009-11-08T07:17:00.004+08:00

It goes without saying that weddings can be pretty expensive affairs. Perhaps it is because it is a special occasion that most of us hope to go through only once in our lives, that most of us try to make it as memorable as possible. However, memorable doesn't necessarily have to mean expensive...

For instance, if you look online, you can find wedding invitations that are not only affordable but elegant, too. With a little creativity and ingenuity you can still create the bang you want without having to blow your budget.

Another thing I've learned through my own wedding is that DIY may be more time consuming, but it always ends up costing you less than hiring a professional. Wedding planners are for those people who don't have the time to plan their own weddings because they're too busy making money. Regardless of what they say about being able to get flowers, dresses, venues, etc. at discounted prices, I still find that going direct is still the best way to go. Whatever commission your planner gets for using a particular service usually ends up pushing up your price to the equivalent of a walk in customer.

If you can forgo having your wedding gown as a keepsake of your wedding, then hiring is probably more cost-effective than having one specially made. Some photography packages come with a wedding dress included that you can use for the day. If you are willing to pay a little more, you could probably even get them to make you a new dress without the full cost of having to buy one yourself.

The key to keeping a wedding affordable is to be creative. The other benefit of creativity is that you could end up with a unique idea that makes your wedding even more special than if you were to go along with the same-old customary ideas for weddings.

The Chinese Tradition of Gold

2009-10-15T01:32:00.002+08:00

Traditionally, gold has always had a huge significance in all Chinese traditions. Wedding traditions are no exception. Gold, in particular, yellow gold, signifies wealth, fortune and prosperity. Such symbolism is important in a Chinese wedding as they represent all the good tidings that are to come for the bride and groom.

Following the olden day traditions, where a bride is considered no longer a part of her family and a new addition to the groom's family, gold also represents the good fortune she will bring to her new family. As such, it was important for a bride to wear gold jewellery on the day of her wedding and to arrive at her new home wearing it.

There were other practical benefits of having gold as well. In the event that the family was struggling and required money, the bride could sell her gold for money. Or the more realistic one which relates to the fact that women didn't work in the past and often needed an alternative means of acquiring money in the event that her husband was not able to provide for her or refused to provide for her.

Though the practical reasons for such traditions are no longer valid today, there is still some merit to gold investments. If you buy gold you can be assured of it maintaining its value, unlike paper assets which have the potential to lose considerable value in an economic downturn. These days, instead of jewellery, you can buy gold coins or buy gold bullion. The benefits are that it is more measurable in this form and easier to trade.

It would be an interesting change to the traditional Chinese dowry to buy gold coin or to
buy bullion and offer it as a gift as opposed to the traditional form of jewellery. Personally, I think it would be more practical as well since it is highly unlikely that one would wear such large pieces of gold jewellery about.

Love Fortunes?

2009-06-16T06:16:00.003+08:00

I have to admit that I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to fortunes and predicting the future. However, coming from an Asian background, it is a little difficult to escape from all the superstitions and beliefs. Even though our superstitions and beliefs don't specifically deal with love psychic reading, I think I have a fair understanding about predicting futures and fortunes in general.

Despite professing to be a skeptic in this area, I have to confess there is a secret interest and fascination with what the future holds. Well, who doesn't? I generally prefer to hear only good fortunes and keep the bad ones away from my ears. Why? Because I believe in the power of belief. If you fear something or believe in something enough - no matter whether there is truth in it or not - it will come true.

From that perspective, I suppose it might be interesting for a person looking for love to attend a love fortune teller. It could open up a whole new dimension that you never thought to explore. This is especially so if you have been single for a long time and find it difficult to get into a new relationship.

If love tarot reading is something you might be willing to consider, then Ann Brook, the Caring Psychic, is someone you could consider paying a visit to.

Start a Wedding Planning Business

2009-05-13T00:12:00.002+08:00

Have you ever thought about a career as a bridal consultant? If you love organising events and parties, I'm sure the thought would have crossed your mind before. Did you know you can actually attend a wedding planning course to become a professional wedding consultant?

Why would you need to learn how to do something that is as common sense and straight forward as organising a wedding? After all, I doubt many wedding planners have such qualifications under their belt and they still manage.

Well, event planning is a tough industry to compete with and if you're brand new and starting out, you don't necessarily have the experience to provide the kind of expert service that draws customers and word-of-mouth recommendations. Rather than start up an event planning business haphazardly, why not get off on the right foot with the best chances of creating a successful business?

If you follow the theories of many successful business people, you will hear them say again and again that learning from the experiences of others is wiser than trying to learn from your own experiences. That's what franchises leverage on - the experience of others. Why start a hamburger business from scratch when you can buy a successful working model like McDonald's?

Likewise, why start an event planning business from scratch when you can learn from the experiences of a successful wedding planning business? That is exactly what you get when you take a Wedding and Event Planning course at Sheffield School. You learn everything you need to know about planning a successful and unique wedding tailored specifically to the tastes of your bride and groom, and you learn how to start up your own business as an event planning company. Learning with Sheffield School helps you start off immediately on the right foot.

Bridal Shower Themes and Ideas

2009-04-23T02:00:00.002+08:00

A wedding may be one of the most important days of a person's life, but the lead up to it is just as important. So when you're planning a bridal shower, there is no reason not to go all out and organise something really special. After all, a bridal shower party marks the end of a single life and is effectively the last chance to really go wild before settling into the responsibilities of being attached to a partner for life.

A great way to make a bridal shower really memorable is to plan a themed party. One of the best ways to make this a really special day for the bride is to go with a theme that she likes - the more unique, the better. These days, with online shopping, it is very easy to get all the props and materials you need to plan the perfect themed party, from the bridal shower invitations to the costumes to match the theme.

Bridal Shower Themes

If the bride has a passion for something, it's best to plan the theme around this. For instance, she could be a Sci-fi buff, in which case you could do something outrageous and plan a Star Trek theme. If the bride enjoys the great outdoors, then a party in a picturesque mountain get-away might be just the thing.

Bridal showers are usually planned by the bridesmaid and either the bride (or the bride's family - if it is a surprise). If the bride is in on the planning, then ask her for ideas of what she would like. Otherwise, here are some suggestions to help you along:

beach theme
spa retreat - what girl doesn't enjoy a chance to be pampered?
sports theme - e.g. rock climbing, kayaking, skiing
pajama party
garden party - this is an oldie but a goodie
tea party - another oldie, but you can also add a twist like something out of Alice in Wonderland

As you can see, the ideas are endless.

Bridal showers were traditionally held to shower the bride and groom with love through the offering of gives and memories on a special day before their wedding day. The important thing is to make the event memorable and special - for each person, this can mean very different things. As the best friend to the bride, you'll know best what that is.

Working Successfully With Your Event Planner

2009-03-25T00:54:00.000+08:00

Having a great event may mean that you have to work with an event planner. They may the key to making sure that you have the most fun that you can have and that everything goes as planned. You want to make sure that you are able to have the best fun that you can have so that you and all of your guests are satisfied with the party.

1. You will first want to be careful with the hiring of your event planner. You will want to make sure that you are getting an event planner that will work with you and be a great profit to you and your event. You will need to make sure that you are able to get along well with them so that the event can go as planned.

2. You will then want to make sure that you are using all the resources that you can to make up a great plan for the event. You will want to have a great method of communication so that you are able to get down to business. You will want to have a great amount of communication so that you both can get the event planned as necessary.

3. Take all of the ideas into consideration. You will want to find the most effect ideas as possible and figure out what will work best for you. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting all the best ideas so that you are able to have the best event planned. You will both have a lot of great ideas for the event and you will then have to choose which ones you want to use.

4. Have fun while you are working together with your event planner. You want to keep the fun and excitement there when you are trying to plan the most effective and creative event that you can. There are many different things that you can do to keep the process of working together as fun as possible and entertaining.

5. Keep your motivation up when you are working with an event planner. You will want to be ready to take on anything and keep working at it. You will need to make sure that you are able to keep the fun and excitement up so that you are able to stay focused and keep the momentum up at the same time. This is a great way to keep the ideas flowing and to make sure everything is running in the right direction.

With some hard work and determination, you can have a great relationship with your event planner and keep things moving along as planned. This is a great way to make sure that you are doing all that you can to keep the event process running as planned. You will find it a great way to stay organized and to get the event ready for the best time ever.

An event planner is someone that is hired by you and you are the one that is going to pay him or her. You will want to make sure that you are able to keep the event on track as you have planned so that you are able to stay in control as well as get the help that you need to make the event great.

What To Look Out For When Choosing Your Event Planner

2009-03-18T00:53:00.000+08:00

You may be trying to plan an event and finding out that it is a little bit harder than what you thought. When you are having a hard time planning an event and doing all the work at the same time, you may find that is a good idea to hire an event planner. They can be a great deal of help to you so that you are not getting frustrated and driving yourself crazy over planning your special event.

You may be wandering, where do I find an event planner? It is really not that hard to do. There are more and more people getting into this profession and finding it very interesting. Many people are helping others out with their party planning and making a great profit from it at the same time. This is a growing profession that a lot of people are doing because they are interested in it and they are there for you to count on.

You may be able to find someone to help you with your event planning that has been used by a person that you know. You may be able to get good advice from your friends on hiring an event planner and what they can do for you. You will want to make sure that you are using someone that will be right for you and also someone that you can trust. You want to put your complete confidence in the person that is helping you build a successful event. If you have no trust, you will find it difficult to let them plan your event.

You should choose some for your event planner that you feel comfortable with. Maybe you want to find someone that has the same type of personality as you. This would be great idea especially when it comes to having the same good ideas about what you want. This is a smart idea for anyone that is looking for the perfect party and getting help from an event planner.

There is so much to do when you are in charge of an event. You need to find someone that is going to pay attention to all the detail. This is one of the most important things. You need to have an event planner that is going to stride for the best. You want them to put all that they can into planning this event. If you are expecting to have the best, you will want to have only the best helping you. You will be glad that you took the time to find an event planner that has a good work ethic and someone that wants to work for you.

Do not be afraid to ask the event planner that you are thinking about hiring for references. You should want to see the different parties that they have created. You want to see their work and make sure that they are someone that is going to be able to fit your needs. You will get to see a sense of the type of party that they can plan for you.

Check out the prices for event planners as well. You do not want to be shocked when it comes time to pay the bill. You want to have an event planner that is going to be a great help to you and give you the satisfaction of the perfect event as well as an affordable asset at the same time. You do not want to blow your entire party budget on an event planner. There are plenty of people out there that have reasonable prices that you will feel good about.

Sexy in the Eye of the Beholder

2009-03-13T06:08:00.002+08:00

Sexy lingerie has never really been something I go for. At least, not by my definition which is lacy bras and underwear. It always seemed too uncomfortable and I've always felt underwear should be comfortable first and foremost. After all, how can you feel confident if you're not comfortable?

It wasn't until I met a guy who thought cotton knickers and sports bras were sexy that I realised sexy lingerie is whatever makes you feel sexy, confident and alluring. For some women, that might be lacy bras and underwear, for others, it might be babydolls, lingerie sets and garter belts, and yet for others, it might even be your average cotton knickers and sports bras.

They've always said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Well, I think sexy is, too.

Paid Home Entertainment

2009-03-13T05:44:00.003+08:00

These days it is hard to enjoy watching programs on regular TV because of the vast number of ads that get screened. Sometimes it seems like there are commercial breaks after every ten minutes! I've also seen channels that run ads along the borders of the screen which is really ridiculous because it shrinks the visual of the program that you are watching.

I never thought I'd see the day where I would start looking for Direct TV Deals because I never really agreed to the idea of having to pay for TV. Perhaps because I grew up in a generation where TV has generally been free. Then again, it is probably unfair to expect TV to be free without the commercials because the money has to come from somewhere.

Now that there are some really great Direct TV Specials out there, pay TV is starting to become the norm in many households. I guess with competition comes the need to offer more attractive deals where previously the pay TV I had been associated had been a monopoly. With so many great Direct TV Offers available, there's really no reason not to get pay TV. Plus, you can get all the latest movies and programs that aren't available on regular TV which makes it all the more worthwhile.

When You Need To Hire An Event Planner

2009-03-11T00:52:00.000+08:00

Planning a party is not always easy for everyone. It can be something that is a lot of hard work and may even be a little tiring to some. When you are trying to plan the party that has everything that you are looking for and so much more, you may want to have a professional help you with all the things that you have to do.
Having an event planner help you with our special occasion is something that you may not think you need, but you may be wrong. When you have a lot of things to do and not enough time to do them all in, you will want to make sure that you have the help that you need to get it all done in time.

Getting an event planner can also help you find different ideas that you could not get on your own. You will appreciate the ideas that you can get from an event planner that has a lot of different experience with planning a great party. They will be able to bring some fun and flair to your night and make it the best that it can be.

Hiring an event planner is nothing to be worried about. You will find that it can be something that will make your party a great success. Finding an event planner is not something that will be too hard either. There are many people that are looking to help you out with your next event. You will be able to check out the different options that you have and go from there. You will see that there are all different types of planners that come with different prices as well. It will depend on the type of party and amount of work that needs to be done.

You will find that the larger parties are going be difficult to take on by yourself. You will want to have someone that you can rely on and trust to make the difficult decisions about things that have to be done. You will the skill of an event planner to make this great time even better. Memories are the one thing that many people like to have of special occasions and you will want all of your memories to be great.

Weddings are an event that will probably call for an event planner to take charge. There are many preparations that need to be done and you will find it a lot easier to get help for them. When you have someone to take on all the problems that happen and take the stress off you, you will be able to sit back and enjoy more of the process instead of worrying about it all the time.

Surprise parties and larger sized birthday parties may also call for an event planner to help. Getting someone to find the place, food, entertainment, and all the hard to deal with problems that can happen with a party is going to take a lot of pressure off of you. You will want to have a good time at the party too and not be stressing over the things that need to be done. That is what you are going to pay the event planner to do.

After the party is over with and you have had the best time ever, you will then have to decide if you want to fess up and let everyone know your secret about the event planner, or let them think that you did it all on your own. Either way, you will feel good about the choice you made and actually be excited about the next party you have to plan.

When You Need An Event Planner And When You Don't!

2009-03-05T00:50:00.000+08:00

When you are doing any kind of special event, you will see that there are a lot of things that have to be done. There is a lot of work and planning that has to go into a lot of different events. You want to make sure that you are able to handle all of the hard work that is involved in it. If you are not sure that you can take on this type of challenge, you may want to go and hire an event planner to help ease the work.

You can decide if you need an event planner to help you or not just by the size of event. If you are having a larger sized event and there is going to be a lot of different things involved in the work, you may need to go ahead and get the planner to help you. If you are going to have a smaller event, you might just be able to get all the work done by yourself. It is really going to be up to you and what you think you can handle.

If you decide to get an event planner to help you, you may be wandering where do you find one. You will be surprised at the amount of people there are that will help with this type of occasion. There are many different people that do this for a living. They will plan other people's special occasions and make money by doing so. This is something that will take a very organized person to do and you want to make sure that you are getting just that.

You may know someone that has used an event planner before and they may be able to help you find the right person. You can take all the references and help that you get and use this to make a decision on the right person for the job. You will find that sometimes you can go by other people past experiences and use them to make your own decision on the right event planner. Once you check out the references and make sure that they are the better person for the job, you will then want to book them. Make sure they are open for your date and those they can handle the work.

You will want to be in contact with your event planner all the time. You will find that you will spend countless hours with them and many lunches trying to plan the perfect event. You will be involved with some of the process like picking out certain things and making the final decisions about what is going to happen. You will be in control with the only difference being that someone else will be doing all the legwork.

An event planner is working for you so you should not be afraid to let them know what you want. You will want to be very open with them and communicate the things that you need to have accomplished. This is the only way that you will be able to have a greatly planned party that will amaze everyone. You want to be proud of the event that you are planning and feel good about all that you have done.

Remember that you will have to pay the event planner. They are usually not cheap so you will want to find out the price first before you hire them. You want to ask questions and make sure they are the candidates for the job and that you can afford their services. Make sure that you have a written contract with the event planner as well. You want to have protection in case anything goes wrong so that you are not responsible for paying them when they have not completed their job as they have agreed.

If you think that you cannot afford an event planner, you should go ahead and try to do the work yourself. You can ask your friends to help out with the preparations so that you are not bearing all the load on yourself.

When you are confident in your event planner and know what to expect you will have a great party that you and many others will remember for years to come.

What Makes An Event Fabulous?

2009-02-25T08:07:00.000+08:00

There are many things that make a party fabulous. You should first seek the knowledge of a local event planner. This will help you with making all the good decision that you must make in order to have a fabulous party, however, you should know that they are some things that you can do to make any event fabulous. You should first start off with a menu.

The menu or food that you plan on serving will say everything about a party. If you want to just have finger foods or appetizers, you will want to have a dozen or two different foods to nibble on. You should also be more creative with veggies and such rather than meat. In general, America is pulling away from meat, and you may want to serve things that have low calories and look good. You can serve grilled or stuffed veggies, but you may also want to do some sushi. Other than the food, most people come to a party for drinks.

Drinks can be very expensive if you have an open bar, however, if you limit your party to having only a certain drink or a few drink options then you can offer the open bar without the huge expensive. You may want to have some nonalcoholic beverages as well like adding fruit puree to sparkling water. If you want to have drinks in a creative way, you may want to freeze some of the berries and fruits that are in season and then place them in the bottom of a drink. They will add some class to a drink and they keep the drinks colder. This trick looks great in the bottom of a martini glass.

The next trick actually has little to do with the party, but the invitations. To have a fabulous party, you have to have as many people there as possible. To do that, you need to make invitations that look professional. You can get many card programs for your computer at some of the local computer stores and superstores.

Superstores are great! They have a huge selection of supplies and you can also purchase them at bulk. Things like tablecloths and other things are perfect to purchase at superstores because you are able to find huge savings on bulk material. If you ever get the chance go to the local superstore or warehouse and see what they offer.

With all the diets that everyone is on, the food could be low calorie, low carbs. You may also want to purchase meat that has fewer fats. If you are going to serve meat, you should go with chicken and fish.

As for the décor you may want to get a little creative by mixing and matching some of the table linens and other decorations. This way the party looks lively and not dull. Do anything you can to live the place up. You can decorate with lemons, oranges, other fruits, and more. You can use flowers to decorate as well. You may make an arrangement; however, it will be very expensive. This is when you may like to just scatter some petals around the place. It will look elegant and nice. Candles also can do a lot for an event. If you want to have a softer light, you can find plenty of creative ways to use candles and mirrors as center pieces and more. You just don't want to place any candles where they can get knocked over or start a fire.

Music is also a nice touch to a party. Depending on the type of party that you are having, you might want to watch the type of music that you play. The music has to mesh with the theme and vibe of the party. Jazz or instrumental can always work for practically any kind of party.

Truth About Creating Successful Events!

2009-02-18T08:05:00.000+08:00

When you want to create a successful event, you will need to follow through on a few different things. You will want to make sure that you are doing a great job so that you can be proud of your event. There are many things to do and usually little time to get them done in. You will want to make sure that you are patient and using your best judgment so that you can get started with your great planning.

You will want to first make sure that you are setting down and figuring out a plan for the event. There is nothing better than being prepared for something. You want to make sure that you are planning for all the good things as well as all the bad things that can happen. The one thing that you need to do when you are planning a successful event is to make sure that you are realistic. You should be ready for anything and understand that you are going to have problems come up at any time.

You will want to make sure that you are making and following a time line for your special event planning .you want to have everything listed and be ready to take on the challenges of anything that you have to face. If you are thinking that you can take on the difficulty of doing every little task yourself, you should think again. You will want to understand that you are going to have to get some help. You can ask someone else to bear some of the load. There is just no reason why you would have to do everything yourself unless you are truly the only person that is able to help out.

You need to set an agenda and then you should be able to hand out tasks to everyone that is helping out with the special event. You will want to give everyone an assignment so that no one is left out of the preparation. You want to make sure that you are setting guidelines for everyone to follow so that there are no questions asked later and that all of the work is delegated out to everyone.

Getting all of the work done is something that you can defiantly be proud of when it is accomplished. The truth about most successful events is that they almost never get finished completely. There is always something that will come up and make things a little harder to do. However the main thing that you need to do is make sure that you are able to handle anything that is thrown your way so that you can relax and feel confident in your event planning.

Once you have the place, the time, the date and all the major details worked out about the event that you are planning, you can then move on to the smaller things that have to be done. You will want to be sure and make a list of all the last minute items that need to be addressed and then go from there. You will see that there are different things that you will miss and that is ok. Usually no one will even notice and who really cares if they do? As long as the day went well and everyone had fun, this is all that matters.

Take your time and think about your event. After you have done it all, the most important thing is that you have fun yourself. After all, you are the one that has put forth all of the hard work and thought for the successful event. You deserve to have fun and enjoy the party just as much as everyone else. You will feel better once the big day has arrived and things are finally falling into place.

Post Wedding Activities

2009-02-11T22:41:00.000+08:00

For many couples, the wedding is not over once the reception is. Depending on the location of the wedding and the couple's relationship with their families, often there are other activities that follow the main event.

One of the most obvious is a breakfast the day following the wedding. This is a time for everyone to touch base with each other, check in on how everyone did and perhaps share memories of the night before. This breakfast activity can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Some people like to have this breakfast at a relative's house because that is friendly and familiar and more conducive to everyone hanging out and enjoying themselves. It can be potluck style or catered. You can also meet up at a restaurant.

Many families like to have the bride and groom open presents the day after the wedding. There are many who believe the bride and groom are required to open presents in the presence of family for good luck. In that case, building in the opening of presents is essential. This can be a simple gathering of friends and family or you can turn the present opening into an all-out activity, where each item is opened, demonstrated or displayed and discussed in great detail.

Opening gifts doesn't have to a dry activity. You can add some silly fun. How about starting with the smallest and moving to the largest gifts? Or working in the reverse order? You might even create a game. Everyone has to guess what's in each gift prior to its being opened. (Of course, people can't guess on their on gifts.) Someone can be in charge of keeping a tally and whoever gets the most right, wins a small prize.

The women in the bride's family might want to help her pack up her gown (or send it to the dry cleaners) and preserve her wedding bouquet. This can easily be done at home and the women (particularly those who are crafty) might want to get started on preserving the flowers as well.

In the crafty light, some brides might want to plan a scrapbook party for after the wedding. You won't have photos back from the photographer, but you can scrapbook many other wedding events, such as pre-events like manicures, various parties and the candid photos take by wedding guests the night before. More than being focused on the photos, this activity gives the women a chance to reflect on the events of the wedding, laugh at all the fun ties and journal and preserve memories before some are lost. It will also help the bride feel as if she's partly in control of all those photos before she leaves on her honeymoon and takes yet more photos.

If gifts were opened on this "day after the wedding", crafty groups might want to make thank you cards. Choose a design long before the wedding, perhaps even making a prototype as well. Then have all the supplies on hand and give everyone good ideas about how the cards should be made. Even the men can get on this act, helping to fold the cards, perhaps handling any computer work and even getting their fingers on glue and scissors. Send the bride and groom off with these homemade cards so when they get back from their honeymoon, all they have to do is jot off a quick note.

Some brides and grooms plan activities the day fter the wedding that are designed to help everyone calm down, relax and unwind after what has likely been a busy weekend. In this light, you can plan a picnic at the park and bring along games to play. You might pack a football, a volleyball net or items to play baseball. You might bring along water guns or a dartboard. Whatever it is, the idea here is to have some fun and blow off steam. Make your own rules when playing the games. It really doesn't matter. Today is about relaxing, unwinding and spending some quality time with friends and family before the special weekend is over.

Wedding Weekend Activities

2009-02-04T22:40:00.000+08:00

Weekend weddings are becoming more popular, particularly as families are spread further apart. They usually begin on Friday night, continue with the wedding Saturday and conclude with a post-wedding breakfast on Sunday before everyone returns home.

Planning activities for these weekend-long celebrations doesn't have to be difficult; in fact, it can be quite a bit of fun if you keep everyone's needs in mind. First, consider the wedding. Will this be a formal wedding with a sit-down dinner at its center? If so, you might want to ban a formal rehearsal dinner and replace it instead with an informal barbecue dinner or picnic.

But how will you keep people occupied during the long weekend? There are many activities to consider. Will the wedding be near a lake? How about planning a day at the lake on Saturday, filled with pre-wedding activities like swimming races and beach volleyball.

One popular pre-wedding activity is a scavenger hunt. Prior to the wedding weekend, a list of meaningful items should be drawn up, and guests placed in two teams. The list should include things like "get a brochure from the jewelry store where (groom) bought (bride)'s ring" or "take a picture of the group at the location where the couple got engaged". You will have to tailor the scavenger hunt list to the location of the wedding and the energy of the guests who will be participating.

You can even offer lavish prizes for the team that wins the scavenger hunt, such as gift certificates or gourmet food and wine baskets. It might seem an obvious choice to divide the teams into groups who know or are related to the bride and teams who know or are related to the groom, but it might be a little more fun to mix it up a bit. You can create teams of friends versus family, or men versus women (always a popular choice).

Another activity that's popular during wedding weekends is a competitive sport activity, such as baseball or flag football. Again, add a special twist. Offer prizes for performance (first home run gets a kiss from the bride) or make silly rules, like members of the bridal party have to wear tiaras while running bases or members of the groom's family should always have their shirts on backwards.

It's important that during the wedding weekend, planners keep in mind that the weekend itself might be expensive for some guests, particularly those who had to fly in for the occasion and many of the activities should be free, or inexpensive. If they are more expensive, and planned for the entire group, they should be paid for by either the bride and groom or their families.

But there are plenty of activities that don't have to be expensive, but can provide big bang for the little buck, such as the scavenger hunt suggested above. If the wedding weekend guests will mostly be family, you can schedule a home movie-viewing event, including home movies from both the bride and groom's families. For even more fun, consider an activity where the movies are mixed up and the guests have to guess which family's videos they are watching. This might sound easy, but depending on the contents, it could be hard, particularly if the bride and groom are babies in the photos.

Life Changes After You Get Married

2009-02-01T01:30:00.003+08:00

Life changes. It is inevitable. Firstly, because you now have to accommodate two persons in your life - yourself and your spouse. Secondly, you have a whole new extended family in your life now. They say that you marry the person, not the family, but seriously, I think it's a lie. At least, it is if you're marrying into a culture where family is very important. Think Chinese, Greek, Italian...

Thirdly, your priorities change. When you buy a house, get a new car, have a baby... Suddenly, you have a lot of other things to think about now. For instance, I used to fill my weekends with rock climbing, and my hubby used to be really into fast cars. After we got married, my rock climbing activities dropped drastically. Then when I had the baby, it dropped completely. Likewise, after we got married, the hubby traded in his WRX for a toyota. There were no more fast cars and "go faster" bits for him any more (although I must add that I did not twist his arm and demand that he get rid of the WRX - not in the least, even though that's essentially what everyone thought).

Then, of course, once you have the baby, you no longer want to zip around in a car like the Kelissa. As small and zippy though it may be, it hardly affords much protection in a collision. Ironically, we never really consider these things when it is just ourselves, but when you're talking about a precious little bundle of joy, suddenly nothing is too good. You start considering a bigger car, like the Toyota prius, or maybe even a Mummy mobile (as the hubby calls it) - a 4WD.

Slowly but surely, life as you know it begins to bear very little resemblance to what it used to be. One night, as you sit alone and ponder back to the "good ol' days", you'll wonder how it all changed. You might miss those days, but you'll know that life changes and it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Wedding Toast Activities

2009-01-28T01:52:00.000+08:00

Giving a toast is a responsibility that puts fear in the speaking hearts of most members of a wedding party. While it's not usually something that is particularly long or involved, it's public speaking (which doesn't sit well with many people) and really puts people on the spot.

If you are planning a wedding and know that most members of this wedding party are hams who won't mind the whole "public speaking" thing, then by all means keep the toasts traditional with dad, the best man and others taking their expected turns at the microphone.

But if you're looking for something different, either because you want to save putting people on the spot, or you simply want to do something different and fun, read on.

First, you can certainly take the whole toast thing off the agenda if you wish. There are no rules requiring a toast at any wedding. Weddings should be unique events and reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.

But if you want to do something a little different, there are options. You can go the video route, which asks people to essentially make a toast on camera and then the video is given to the bride and groom later. This isn't a particularly unique idea, but it does solve the issue of not wanting to put people on the spot and still gives everyone a chance to say something special to the bride and groom.

If your guest list includes many outgoing people then consider "pass the microphone". This can work in several ways. You can either be silly with it, or deadly serious. Most people like silly. Say dad takes the microphone first. His last name ends with T (so, let's say dad's last name is Smith). He must find someone whose first name begins with a T (Tom? Tony? Tina? Theresa?) and pass the microphone to that person, who then gives a toast.

This method of giving toasts does put people on the spot (certainly before the fun begins you can warn them so if they are really uncomfortable, they can escape to the restroom or bar) but it can also be a lot of fun. Getting people when they least expect it and then asking them to remember something funny or meaningful about the bride and groom can result in interesting, funny and truthful results.

You might also decide that one person at each table be required to give a toast. Number the tables and at various intervals, have the MC or DJ call a number, which will require guests at that table to decide amongst themselves who will give the toast at that table. Certainly, more than one person can if they like, but there will likely be at least one ham at each table who will enjoy standing up and toasting the newlyweds.

Say you have plenty of public speakers in the group, and finding willing toast participants won't be a problem. But you think the subject matter might be. There's an easy solution to this problem. You can provide open-ended topics for the toast speakers. Say you are providing an "open mike" toast arrangement, where anyone can request the microphone and offer a toast. The DJ, MC or someone else in the wedding party (perhaps the maid of honor or best man) can offer the speaker a surprise topic, which might be pulled from a champagne flute or drawn out of the floral arrangement on the head table. There might be slips of paper to choose, or just one sheet of paper with several ideas.

The speaker might choose to finish this sentence, "I remember when (groom's name here) was a little boy, he always ..." or answer this question, "When was (insert bride's name here) at her silliest? Tell us the story". You might have to give each speaker a minute or two to collect their thoughts, but you're sure to have some interesting stories, some unique anecdotes and some different perspectives on the bride and groom.

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Games

2009-01-21T01:52:00.000+08:00

Wedding rehearsal dinners are a time to relax, calm down and enjoy a quiet evening before the big event the next day. But adding some fun and games into the rehearsal dinner isn't such a bad idea. It's a great way to help everyone let off some steam, calm down and enjoy each other.

If you're planning a sit-down formal dinner, fun games and activities can still be on the menu. In fact, if a formal dinner is part of the plans, having some interesting activities on the agenda is not only a good idea, but also an excellent one. There's been a lot of planning, and a lot of stress and the wedding party and close friends and family will welcome the opportunity to have a little fun.

The success or failure of any games or activities largely depends not just on the planning but your venue. If you're having a sit-down dinner in a restaurant, try to get a private room. Then a myriad of fun activities can be planned, such as "pin the veil on the bride", in which blindfolded guests spin around a few times, then try to pin the veil on a picture of the bride. Silly, yes, but also fun.

One fun activity sure to help everyone blow off some steam is charades. Whoever is up will act out a scene from the bride or groom's life, so it might be when graduating from college, or getting a huge promotion at work. The "it" person might choose to act out when the bride tripped and fell at another person's wedding or when the groom saved a dog from getting hit by a car. This is a little twist on charades that helps people get to know the bride and groom better, and adds intimacy to what is already an intimate event.

If the wedding rehearsal dinner is a bit less formal and held in someone's home, there are many more activities that can take place. For example, how about a night of playing board games? Who needs formal food? You can have that the next day at the formal wedding. At this rehearsal dinner party, the games are center stage.

Bring in some sandwiches and tell everyone to wear their comfortable clothes and settle in for a night of board games. You can set up games on different tables, divide people into groups of 4 or 5 and have everyone rotate tables at designated times. You can even instruct game players that when they move to another table, the game stays out the way it is. So, for example, dad might begin playing Monopoly where the bride was and he's stuck with only a little money in the bank and no houses on Boardwalk.

So, let's say the bride and groom are big into sports. If the wedding is to be held in the summer and the days are long, how about a game of touch football or baseball? You can play bride's family against groom's family, men against women, or for a twist, the bride plays with the groom's family and the groom with the bride's family. Any combination works. The idea here is to have some fun, relax and enjoy each other's company.

Other outdoor activities can include anything that is physical and might help people blow off steam. Has the bride been more a "bridezilla" than anything? How about a game of tag where she's it? Or you can create two bridesmaid's dress-up trunks. Go to a thrift store, fill the trunks with old prom dresses and large-size shoes, and costume jewelry. Divide the guests into two different teams and have someone sit with a timer. The team who dresses one of the men (ideally, the groom and best man or perhaps the two dads) first wins. Be sure to have a camera at the rehearsal dinner/event, because this is one activity you'll want to have pictures of!

Looking for Baby Shower Party Supplies?

2009-01-14T07:22:00.005+08:00

When planning a party, finding the materials to create the perfect theme can sometimes be tricky. Most party shops are limited with the stock they can carry because they have only so much physical space to display stock. This is why it can be useful to search online for a one-stop solution provider that can cater to all your requirements.

For instance, if you are looking for Baby Shower Party Supplies to plan your next baby shower, searching online for a one-stop party shop, like Party Pro, might make the task of planning your shower a lot easier. Instead of having to run from shop to shop looking for matching items to fit your theme, you can get it all from the same place.

Often, not only do these online party shops offer a broader range of stock, but they can be cheaper owing to lower running costs of maintaining an online store. Additionally, if you are planning a big party, you can order in bulk further reducing costs. Often, I find that when I shop at a physical store, it isn't only the range of stock that is limited but the quantities. Although some shops may be able to order in extra stock if you need a large quantity of Baby Shower Party Supplies, they often have to check with suppliers who may or may not have enough of what you require.

Best of all, when you shop online, you can shop at your leisure from the comfort of you home. I can't think of anything better than that.

Wedding Cake Activities

2009-01-14T04:03:00.000+08:00

Upon arrival at the wedding reception, many guests head for the cake table so they can admire the cake. Some time later, the bride and groom come along for a picture opportunity and the grand cutting of the cake. Then everyone enjoys cake and it's gone. Believe it or not, there are many more activities that can make the wedding cake more about fun and less about tradition.

Of course, watching the bride and groom push cake into each other's mouths is a long-enjoyed tradition, but there are many more fun - and less messy - activities to consider as well.

One new option that's gaining popularity is to have cupcakes instead of a cake. This is a method that is usually more affordable than having a cake and it can be a lot of fun. Cupcakes are decorated in alignment with the wedding theme, just as a cake is, but the cupcakes are instead arranged on tiered cake plates and displayed on a cake table until it's time to eat them. The cupcakes can be simply handed out on plates to each wedding guest.

Now, what's fun about using cupcakes instead of a whole wedding cake is you can save money, certainly, as many reception halls and caterers charge a per slice fee to cut and serve the wedding cake, but you can also build activities into the cupcake presentation. For example, the cupcakes that are for the bride and groom can have a different decoration than the ones for the guests.

As an extra touch, you can have the baker include a special prize in one or several cupcakes. A small charm or tiny toy can be baked into the cupcake. Whoever gets the charm wins a special prize. These prizes can range from a gift basket or gift certificate to a restaurant to a dance with the bride or groom.

Some brides like to use a Southern tradition and have charms baked into the wedding cake. Similar to the idea above for cupcakes, this involves baking small charms or tiny toys (but usually charms) into the cake. Those who get one of the charms are said to have good luck. You might even consider having charm bracelet charms baked into the cake, which are then made into a charm bracelet for the bride.

Not everyone enjoys cake. How about an activity for those who won't be eating cake? They can be required to do the "Macarena" or the chicken dance during the time when everyone else is eating cake. If they manage to do the dance continuously while the other guests enjoy cake, they win a prize. Or they simply get to sit down, as now they are tired!

In keeping with the dance during cake theme, how about a requirement that in order to get cake, a guest must perform an impromptu dance first? Or there could be trivia questions about the bride and groom or about popular culture. Guests must correctly answer the questions before getting their cake. There could be competitions among tables or individuals for most questions answered correctly.

Many people believe that once the cake is cut, they are free to leave if they wish. Since cake cutting usually comes after the meal and after dancing and other traditional celebration activities, many people take the opportunity to leave the party after the cake is cut and enjoyed.

If the bride and groom want their guests to stay after the cake is eaten, it is worth some extra effort to build some activities into the cake-cutting event so people will stick around longer. This can be as simple as telling people not to leave, or can be more subtle and fun.

For example, each person could receive a slip of paper with his or her cake. These slips of paper could be prepared ahead and provided to the catering company with instructions that one folded strip of paper be placed on each plate with the cake. The paper might give an agenda for the rest of the evening or might ask its recipient to perform a little dance, to head over to give the groom or bride a kiss, or might ask them to take the flower girl out on the dance floor for a spin. The unknown will keep all the guests guessing and provide some entertainment as the instructions are carried out.

Seated Wedding Reception Games

2009-01-07T17:17:00.000+08:00

Nothing is worse than having a wedding reception filled with seated guests who look tired and maybe a little bit bored. Maybe this wedding doesn't feature a DJ and rockin' music. Or maybe the crowd isn't into that whole dancing thing.

What to do? It's not that hard. There are a myriad of activities you can plan that will not only engage and entertain the guests, but also help them get to know each other and - most importantly - the bride and groom just a little bit better.

Here's one that's fun and might remind you just a little bit of a football game. Make a placard for each guest. On one side, letter "Bride" and on the other, "Groom". Someone, and if you have a DJ it can be him or her, or the best man or maid of honor, asks a series of questions. They might be simple, like "who was born in New York City"? Or they might be more complicated, such as "who, at 6, broke their leg when they were playing with their German shepherd puppy"?

Guests don't yell their answer, but rather show their placard, turning it to the "bride" side of they think the question pertains to the bride or to the "groom" side if it's the opposite. The guests' guesses can be revealing, but even more revealing, are the true answers. It's a great, fun way for everyone to get to know a little more about the bride and groom.

One word of caution about the above activity: Keep ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends out of the questions and don't ask anything that might be a little too revealing or too risqué. Remember, grandmothers and grandfathers and young children will likely be present!

If it's too much work to create signs for each person, you can create just two and create two teams - a team of men and a team of women. Grouped together, the teams can work together to decide on the answer and answer as a group. This "men versus women" concept is always popular and sure to be fun for everyone.

One silly game that's always a hit really puts the groom in the spotlight. How well does he know the feel and touch of his new wife? In this game, everyone finds out. You can do this several ways. You can enlist just the wedding party in this game, or as many of the wedding guests that want to participate.

Line each participant up and blindfold the groom. Put the bride somewhere in the mix, and send the groom on a hunt for his bride. The participants can either shake the groom's hand or give him a kiss on the cheek. In some versions, he might feel their hair or their leg. The details are up to you.

Depending on how far you want to take this game, you can add a fun element to it that is sometimes popular. You have the groom feel the leg of each participant. The best man, or other male member of the wedding party, rolls up his pant leg, puts on a garter and has the groom feel that. The groom has to kiss whoever he thinks is his bride, while still blindfolded. Often, he ends up kissing a man.

For an activity that allows the guests to be audience members instead of participants, consider the game of "feed me". In this game, the bride is seated and the groom is (again) blindfolded. He's given a piece of food and then spun around a few times so he's a little bit dizzy. Guided only by the helpful words of his new bride, he has to find her and get the piece of food into her mouth. Be sure to have the wedding party shadowing him so there are no accidents.

Once the groom has fed his new wife, the tables are turned and she is blindfolded and must find him.

A few notes about this activity: when feeding the bride, don't use wedding cake or a piece of bread with dip. In other words, don't use anything too messy. If the groom has a hard time finding her mouth, he might likely smear the food on the bride's face and that is something that won't make a bride - prettily made up just hours before - too happy.

Wedding Guest Book Activities

2008-12-31T17:16:00.000+08:00

Traditional brides don't have to have traditional guest books. Certainly you can purchase a standard guest book and ask your guests to sign it, but there are so many more guest book-like activities that are more unique.

Let's move from the popular to the less well known. One very popular option allows guests to sign a picture of the bride and groom. Simply take a picture of the bride and groom and have it matted in a mat several inches larger than the photo itself. Place a frame around this, but don't include the glass or Plexiglas frame. You'll add this later. Some people prefer to use "bulldog" clips to keep the mat together instead of putting the picture in the frame. The picture can be framed after the wedding.

Most couples choose a nice photo of themselves for this picture/guestbook option, although if there's a formal engagement photo, this is an excellent way to preserve that photo and show it off to friends and family. If photos are taken before the wedding with the bride and groom in their wedding attire, you can certainly use this photo. Many couples opt to either leave the mat empty or they place a temporary picture in the mat and add a wedding picture later.

Be sure to have a nice Sharpie marker handy and place the picture on either a sturdy easel or on a table where guests are sure to see it.

Another option is instead of providing a picture of the bride and groom to sign, the guests are provided with a picture of themselves! Simply provide a Polaroid camera and assign someone the job of taking pictures of the guests as they arrive at the reception. Once the picture is dry, provide a Sharpie and they can sign the picture, make a note to the bride and groom or hand draw a silly picture. It can be whatever the guest wants it to be. This is a unique, and personal, way for guests to "sign in" at the wedding.

Whoever handles the taking of the pictures should also handle putting them in an album of some sort. A scrap booker might provide a special memory book with the Polaroid pictures in it, or the pictures can simply be placed in a nice album and presented later to the bride and groom.

Many guests don't give a great deal of thought to the guest book. They whiz by the guest book table more concerned with getting their cocktail and hitting the dance floor. If this is a concern, provide a "traveling" guest book. Send each guest something either to sign or decorate before the wedding.

In this "traveling" guest book scenario, there are several options. One of the easiest is to send each guest a small piece of paper and ask them to write something meaningful or thoughtful for the bride and groom on it. The pieces of paper are returned prior to the wedding (to ensure a better response, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope with the paper) and can be compiled in some meaningful way for the bride and groom and presented to them on their wedding day.

If the guest list is a creative or particularly close group, there is one other option that is even more meaningful. Again, in a scrapbook fashion, send each guest a piece of paper to sign or decorate. The paper should be the size of a photo album, so it might be a 6 x 6 piece of paper, an 8 x 8 piece of paper, or even 12 x 12, if the guests are up to that larger size.

In a letter that arrives with the paper, the guests are instructed to create a memory page for the bride and groom. They might include photos, quotes, little anecdotal stories, or combine all of these with stickers or embellishments. It's thoughtful, meaningful and personal and it's an excellent way to include guests who might not be able to attend the wedding, but would still like to be a part of it.

Overnight Wedding Reception Ideas

2008-12-24T17:15:00.000+08:00

Some brides these days are turning wedding receptions on their head and creating super long receptions that run through the night and into the morning. If this is you, planning some activities for those long nighttime hours is essential.

Generally, if an all-night reception is planned, it goes something like this: the wedding is held in the early evening and reception follows. By about midnight, many of the guests will have left and the group that is remaining (generally the younger guests, but not always) will continue to dance and party and revel into the early morning hours. At some point, breakfast will be provided and everyone will go home to crash.

Why do you need activities for such a reception? The answer is simple. You want to keep people entertained through the nighttime hours, you want to keep them at the reception and not let them give in to driving home to crash and sleep and you want to provide them with a real party. Let's face it: if they are willing to hang in with you for the duration, they deserve something for their effort.

First, you need to be fairly organized about the activities you plan. Consult with your DJ about these activities and leave it to him or her to keep things on a schedule. Do not plan to cut cake in the middle of the night. That activity should take place during the more traditional evening hours, so those not intending to stay all night can leave. However, if you're determined to keep your guests all night, you could hold one activity back with the hope it will keep guests in the house longer.

Depending on your guest list, you might hold off on the father-daughter dance until after midnight, or you could save a few toasts for the late night hours. In any event, having some other fun events is a great idea.

As guests begin to fade, bring in a piñata, which you can find shaped like a wedding ring, a bridal dress or a champagne flute. Fill it with a variety of goodies. Candy is always popular, but you could also fill it with silly toys found in the carnival section of the party store. Have the DJ play a spirited song and let everyone have a chance at the piñata. Do this on the dance floor and really let people have a swing at it. There should be plenty of room. Once the piñata breaks, everyone can enjoy a taste of sweet candy or can enjoy some silly little carnival game or toy.

People who stay for the duration of the wedding are going to need a rest. Plan a photo presentation or video viewing for this purpose. You could have someone who's familiar with PowerPoint create a photo presentation or have someone put together a video of photos. Do this around 2 or 3 am and have it last a good half hour to 45 minutes. This gives everyone a chance to sit down and relax and also gives the DJ a chance to sit, have a rest and rejuvenate for the next round.

In that same vein of allowing the guests a little relaxation, one activity that some brides employ is a non-activity. If the weddig is outside, you can provide inflatable mattresses and have some torches lit. If guests ant to sit down and relax, they can do so on the mattresses and still be part of the activity while resting. If it's been a long day and someone needs to rest, those reception room chairs don't seem the most comfortable. If the reception is indoors, think about providing large pillows for guests to sit on or create a corner with inflatable mattresses and lots of fabric. This can be a chatting area where people can go to rest but still be part of the fun. They can chat and catch up with other guests and then head back for more partying when they're rejuvenated.

Outdoor Wedding Reception Activities

2008-12-17T17:14:00.000+08:00

If you are having your wedding reception out of doors, that opens the door for many activities that would be hard to pull off indoors. You can plan games and activities based on the outdoor theme and carry that theme indoors if part of the reception is inside as well.

Depending on where the reception will be held, you can plan many activities based on the setting. Whether it is the park or on a farm, there are a myriad of activities you can plan.

Let's start with some basics based on popular wedding locations. One fun game for a winery wedding is a blindfolded wine tasting game. If the bride and groom are wine drinkers, this might not a game the bride and groom should be a part of, but instead guests and wedding party members. Blindfold perhaps a half dozen volunteers and have them do a blind taste test (provide something to clean the palate between sips). The volunteers should guess which wine is the pinot noir, which is the Cabernet, and so on. A bottle of wine is the obvious prize for the winner of this game.

Say you are having a reception at a country club on a golf course. It's possible your theme will include golf elements, so why not include golf in some reception activities or games? You certainly could head to the golf course for a "hole in one" contest, or have a driving contest to see which guest has the best stroke. As a simple, "who gets the centerpiece game", you could have people guess how many golf balls there are in the floral centerpiece (which could decorate a plain large glass vase filled with flowers). Similarly, there could be a large vase or other clear container filled with golf balls at the reception somewhere and guests could guess how many golf balls are in the vase.

A silly game could be made on the dance floor by asking everyone to include their best golf swing into their dancing for one particular song.

Now, if your reception and ceremony are both to be held outdoors and guests will be milling outdoors, think about games or activities that can take place outdoors and still keep to your level of formality or informality. For example, if the reception is being held at a park, perhaps guests might enjoy a "walk down memory lane". Prior to the reception, someone can use potted plants or arbors to create a little private lane, which guests can walk through. Along the path, guests will find pictures of the bride and groom at various stages in their lives. There should be a place for guests to record their thoughts and memories along the way as well.

If your wedding and reception are fairly casual, you can always tell guests ahead of time to prepare for a ball game or some other fun outdoor activity. Women can bring a pair of sneakers. Just imagine the fun photos you'll get out of a rousing game of football or baseball played by women in dresses and sneakers and men in suits and sneakers!

You can provide a challenge activity involving barefoot dancing in the grass or a Frisbee toss in the backyard. Is there a pool in the yard where the reception will be held? Why not have a swimming activity for after the whole of the reception is done?

Kids Wedding Reception Activities

2008-12-10T17:52:00.000+08:00

Not all brides and grooms want to exclude children from their wedding. Many are happy to welcome children into their wedding both as members of the wedding party and as guests.

Having children at a wedding, however, poses a myriad of problems. Do you leave the children to their own devices and hope they behave and don't get in the way? Do you provide a room with childcare so they are "present" but not too much under foot? Perhaps the best solution is a simple mix of both, with a smattering of fun built in.

First of all, if children are invited to the wedding, take into consideration the ages of the children. Babies will have to stay with mom and/or dad, for a variety of reasons. So planning to have all the children in another room might not be feasible. But if the children are toddlers up to about age 12, you can provide a separate room for them with childcare and a make a number of activities available to them.

If the children will be in a separate room at the reception, you can provide a coloring table, perhaps a TV with an appropriate movie ready to roll, and some board games. That could probably be enough for the duration of the wedding reception. Be aware of a few things: there should be a ratio of at least 1 adult for every 5 children if the children are toddlers, or 1 adult to every 10 children if the kids are older. Don't expect the kids to take up the activities on their own, but rather tell the childcare provider to get the kids involved in the activities by doing them him or herself.

What if the children will be part of the reception festivities? What activities can be geared specifically to children at the reception? There are plenty of things you can do, really. You can certainly plan a coloring table at the back of the reception hall or room. There, you can provide loads of paper, coloring books, markers and crayons. Paints are not recommended, for obvious reasons, and moms will thank you if you remember to supply the kids with washable markers and crayons only.

The art table can be more than just coloring, however. Buy a huge bag of pipe cleaners. Kids can amuse themselves for long periods of time, making animals, odd figures and the like. Make sure you have at least 20 or more pipe cleaners for each child, however, as children can go through these quickly. Think about "clean" clay, the new products that don't stick to anything and don't leave a trace on furniture. With a few different colors, kids can create a variety of figures, faces or forms.

Many brides like to plan more formally for their small guests. There are several options if this is the route you want to take. One popular option is to have paid entertainment on hand just for the children. This can take place in a separate room or toward the back of the reception room or hall if it's large and the guest list is big. You can hire a clown or a balloon artist. You can have someone braid the children's hair and provide temporary tattoos. If there is a separate room available, you can even hire a children's musician to come and entertain the kids. The options are endless.

If no plans are made for the children, but they arrive at the wedding expecting entertainment, you'll have to make some plans. One option is a "child only" dance, which allows only the children on the dance floor. This is not only cute to watch, and could be entertaining as well, but it will bring a smile to the face of every grandma and grandpa present.

Fun Wedding Music Activities

2008-12-07T17:51:00.000+08:00

Music is as much a component of a good wedding as food and drink. You can have a wedding without music, but it's likely it will seem a little quiet and dull. So whether you have a full live band, a string quartet, a DJ spinning tunes or recorded music from a boom box, it should be included.

But music's not just for dancing. There are a myriad of activities you can plan around the music that will add an element of fun to your wedding.

One popular idea is to play musical chairs. Sure, this is a fun kid's game and you don't want to insult your guests in any way, but you can have some fun with this version of musical chairs. The chairs can be just about anything, from chairs lined up from the food tables, to the floor, if you think your guests might be open to sitting on the floor (and then having to get up and down again). One fun option is to use the men as the chairs - they kneel on the floor, with one knee on the floor and the other bent. The women sit lightly on the men's' knees as they are playing musical chairs. When either the man or woman falls down, that couple is out, until one couple is left.

Some brides and grooms like to play musical chairs in order to give away the table centerpiece, which many guests like to take home. Instead of assigning a number and awarding the centerpiece to the person in possession of that number, you have each table play musical chairs until the person left standing is the one that gets to take home the centerpiece.

How about a rousing game of "name that tune"? This is a game that's best for a smaller, intimate wedding where everyone knows the bride and groom well. Prior to the wedding, whoever is planning the wedding should get a list of favorite songs of both the bride and groom. Create a CD of those songs, and then create a game of "name that tune". Guests can be divided into teams and then be played just a small snippet of each song.

After guests hear that first snippet, they can then "bid" on how quickly they can name the tune. So one group might say they can name the tune in 10 seconds, while the other group might say 5 seconds. Once one group has bowed out, the other group will then have to "name that tune". This is a fun game that gets everyone involved and which the bride and groom are particularly delighted by.

Depending on the style of the wedding, there are many fun games you can play to get the bride and groom out on the dance floor. Now, if this is a very large and very elegant wedding, this option might not work since there is certain decorum to maintain, but for a casual, fun, family-centered wedding some of these games can be fun.

If guests want to "call out" the wedding couple onto the dance floor, they can be asked to get out on the dance floor themselves first and hula hoop or perform their own version of a break dance. Much in the way guests sometimes have to "perform" to get the couple the kiss this is another way to get the guests involved and having fun in order to create fun wedding memories for the bride and groom.

Background Checks Before Getting Married

2008-12-07T10:31:00.002+08:00

Private Investigators may seem like the stuff you see in Hollywood movies but nowadays, you never can be too careful if you're planning to get married. With so many people meeting through online dating, internet chat rooms and on speed dates, it never hurts to hire a Private Investigator to do a little background check before you tie the knot.

Yes, the whole idea of snooping around through your partner's history might seem rather untrusting and probably rather distasteful to the romantic idealist, but you'll be glad you did when the Private Investigator discovers your partner hasn't been very truthful about his or her marital status. If all this sounds a little too Hollywood, then just have a read in the "secret affairs" section of any magazine and it'll bring you plummeting back to Earth.

In the Asian culture, the most pertinent part of getting married is the wedding ceremony. Although many couples often sign the registration papers long before they hold the ceremony, they don't consider themselves married until they've had the ceremony. In the eyes of the law, they might be married, but as far as they are concerned, in the eyes of their families, they aren't. It is ideologies like these that you really need to be wary of when considering marriage to your partner.

So before you get married, do yourself a favour, hire a PI and get a background check on your partner first. You may find that your partner really is every bit as wonderful as you believe, but at least you won't be getting any surprises farther down the track when you're already married with children to consider.

Dance Floor Activities

2008-12-03T02:14:00.000+08:00

Dancing is an essential component at most wedding receptions. We look forward to the couple's "first dance" and the bride's special dance with her father. It's also a place to get loose and funky, if you're a guest or a member of the wedding party.

But what if the wedding planners decided to add some fun and surprise to the dance floor by adding fun activities there? This doesn't mean a rousing version of the "Bunny Hop", which, while maybe essential, is hardly unique.

There are, however, many fun games and activities you can add to your dance floor activities that are sure to be a hit.

Try a fun game of the "chicken dance". Ok, so that doesn't sound too original. But if most of your guests are just sitting at their tables, watching a few brave couples dancing, or just finishing their meals, you might want to get everyone up and having fun. Try this game.

The DJ announces a number. Everyone looks under his or her chair, where there is a number. Depending on the number of guests at the wedding, there might be only numbers "1" and "2" or more, up to 5.

So, say the DJ announces number "4". Each person checks under their chair to see what their number is. These numbers can be written simply on a piece of masking tape and affixed to the underside of the chairs when the reception is being set up. Each "4" in this scenario will head to the dance floor to do the chicken dance with the other "4s". Not only does this get people out of their chairs and on to the dance floor, they get to know other wedding reception guests they might not otherwise know.

One dance floor activity that's gaining popularity is to bring in a dance teacher for the wedding reception. As a kind of pre-dance activity, the teacher will quickly walk people through their paces on the dance floor, perhaps teaching a bit of the waltz or, for something completely different, a little bit of the tango, before the music officially begins and dancing commences.

Having a dance teacher do a bit of teaching not only livens up the reception right from the start, but it gets people out on the dance floor who might otherwise be too self-conscious normally to get out there and let it all hang out. And practically speaking, it will likely make the wedding guests feel more confident in their skills before the "official" dancing begins.

Another fun activity to get everyone on the dance floor, including even the most reticent, is something you can refer to as the "snowball" dance. This is a good way to jumpstart the dancing at the beginning of the evening.

Here's how the "snowball" dance works. The wedding party, bride and groom included, will head to the dance floor for a fun dance. The music for this dance should be fast, something with a disco beat or a fast song that most people have at least a passing familiarity with. After a bit of wedding party dancing, the music stops. The female members of the wedding party move into the crowd and bring back one male each. The male members of the wedding party do the same, but they bring in female guests. The dancing then begins again. This is repeated until all the guests are dancing. It's truly a snowball effect!

Destination Wedding Activities

2008-11-26T01:05:00.000+08:00

As brides get more and more creative in planning their weddings, locations weddings are becoming more and more popular. Although this might result in a smaller guest list, it can also result in some fun opportunities for activities.

Many brides like to have their weddings seaside, so they move the festivities to a beach locale, either on their local coast or somewhere more exotic like Jamaica or the Bahamas. In any event, there are several activities that can be planned around this theme. If the wedding is also a weekend event where guests will be around for more than just the wedding, the bride can plan a sailing excursion. Charter a boat for a day and bring your guests out on the water to relax, rejuvenate, and perhaps enjoy a meal.

If the wedding is in the Caribbean, how about a cooking demonstration? The bride and groom can arrange for the wedding guests to enjoy a complimentary cooking demonstration put on by the hotel or a local cook. Since much of the food the guests eat while visiting for the wedding will be different than what they eat at home, they might enjoy learning how to prepare it for home enjoyment.

Say the wedding is in Hawaii, another popular destination wedding location. Here, you can plan several activities around the location. For example, what about a luau? This could even take the place of a more formal or conventional sit-down rehearsal dinner.

In Hawaii, guests will enjoy a hula lesson. Depending on the age of your guests, be sure there is enough time between the wedding and the lesson for the resting of aching bones, in case there are any.

At the wedding itself, there are many ways to incorporate the location into the ceremony itself. At a beachside reception, you can play "pass the shell", where a large shell is passed around and guests "listen" for some advice from the other world. Once they get a piece of advice (really something they think of themselves) they share it with the bride and groom, either verbally, or it can be written into a book for the couple.

Other pre-wedding activities can include guided tours, shopping excursions and wine tasting activities (if applicable). If you choose to include any of these activities keep in mind that the bride and groom (or their families) are expected to pay for the bulk of them. If you arrange a sailing excursion, for example, you are expected to pick up the tab for the trip. Do not tell people ahead of time that the activity will be x dollars. It's likely that won't sit well with them.

Since one of the great benefits of the destination wedding is that only your closest friends and family will likely surround you, you can plan some meaningful activities that you wouldn't plan if the wedding were a larger event. For example, you might plan a slumber party night with close friends that includes movies, popcorn and drinks in your hotel room, villa or cottage, depending on where the wedding is held.

Of course, if you plan a destination wedding, for some people this might double as their vacation. In that event, you might not want to schedule too many activities but instead let people find their own activities and entertainment both before and after the wedding.

Wedding Planning: Buffet Table Activities

2008-11-22T01:04:00.000+08:00

Most wedding receptions include a buffet-style meal where everyone stands in an enormous line waiting while those at the food table decide if they want Italian or Ranch dressing on their salad.

There has to be a more unusual way to get people to their food, and a faster one at that, right? There are several fun options you can employ to feed your guests quickly and with a minimum of groans of hunger.

Here are some fun options.

One of the most popular is the number system. Each table is assigned a number and the MC or DJ calls numbers at various intervals. The people at that numbered table then find the buffet and begin their feast. You can place the numbers in a variety of locations. For the most utilitarian version, just place the number in the flower arrangement on the table.

Some brides don't like this look of numbered table as if at a convention. In that case, you can put the numbers under the flower arrangements, or under the chairs. If you have place cards at the tables, you can write a small number somewhere on the card so people know which table they're sitting at. For a fun variation, you can have the florist play around with the table floral arrangements. If the arrangements are going to have a dozen flowers, you could have the florist add one extra flower to table "one", two extra flowers for table "two" and so on and make the guests figure out which number table they are based on how many extra flowers they have in their arrangement.

The flower method could be cost-prohibitive, of course, if you have a large guest list and many tables.

Now, if the number system doesn't thrill you or make you think "unique", there are other options. Each table can have a color and the DJ simply calls out the color name. Depending, again, on how many tables you have at your reception, you could coordinate the tablecloths with the color of the table. So you might have white, pink, lavender, beige, and yellow tablecloths, and the guests sitting at that table simply move to the buffet table when the color of their tablecloth is called.

Another popular option for moving people easily to the buffet table involves having a little fun with your guests. You provide each table with a buzzer, either a bell like you might find at a store, or a small silver bell. Just something they can buzz or ring. The DJ or MC asks a trivia question, or a question about the bride and groom. The tables buzz in with their answers. The guests at the table with the first correct buzzed answer move to the buffet table. You repeat the process until everyone is finally on their way to getting some grub.

The trivia method is an especially fun way to help guests to get to know one another, as they might have to work together to come up with an answer. If your guests are hungry, you're sure to hear muffled groans and sighs of exasperation. But even with the small complaints, this is always a crowd pleaser because it's fun and gets everyone involved.

Now, this next option is fun but can engender a bit of jealousy sometimes. When people get their place card, whether it's placed on the table, or they pick it up when they look at the seating chart, you can put a number on it. But not everyone at the same table will have the same number. If you have 100 guests, for example, you might choose to have 10 people at the buffet table at a time. So each person would be assigned a number 1 through 10.

In the same scenario as above, the DJ or MC will call a number and those numbers will head for the buffet table. There are sure to be more than one person from each table heading for the buffet table, but the guests at each table won't get their food at the same time.

This staggered feeding can be fun or a nuisance, depending. It solves the problem of half the room being finished with their meal while waiting for the "later" table to finish theirs before the festivities start, but it can also mean that one or two guests might be long done with their food (or wanting to head back for seconds) when others at the table haven't even eaten yet.

Event Planners

2008-11-21T06:10:00.007+08:00

Event planning companies are a great resource to consider when organising any event. Although some people enjoy the process of organising such events, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would rather not have to deal with the hassle of coordinating everything. Event planning companies can take the stress out of organising these events - all you have to do is tell them what you want.

It is important to select the right company when electing to outsource the management of your event - be it the company family day, an anniversary event, or even your wedding day. Some companies specialise in certain types of events so it pays to do a little research before deciding which event company to go with. For instance, there is a Los Angeles Event Planning company that specialises family corporate events. When organising an Orange County Company Picnic, they ensure that the event draws both adults and children together, whereas some other event management companies tend to focus on the activities for the children and adults separately.

When you hire an event planning company, you want to make sure they take care of every little detail so you can relax and enjoy the event. You want a company that handles your event as if it were their own. When Event Solutions organises a Los Angeles Company Picnic, they make sure all their food is fresh and cooked on site. They aim to please, providing great entertainment with an interactive show with a team building concept. The theme, chafers, tables and linens come with no extra charge. From catering to entertainment, they'll handle everything right down to event registration, parking vouchers and invitation flyers. With over 20 years of experience, Event Solutions is a woman-owned company that love what they do.

If I were hiring a company for an event, I would look for a company like Event Solutions.

Bridal Bouquet Activities

2008-11-19T07:22:00.000+08:00

When a bride orders her wedding bouquet, it might not seem that any "activities" will come from it other than as a thing for the bride to hold. But the bridal bouquet can be the source of many interesting activities and meaningful gestures.

During there ceremony there are all kinds of possibilities. Certainly you can go traditional and have a flower for both the mother of the bride and mother of the groom. The moms, in particular, love this activity and guests usually appreciate it as well. But what if you turned that traditional gesture on its head and supplied flowers for both the mothers and the fathers?

If the bride supplies flowers to both the men and women, there are a couple of ways to do this. What if dad's flower was enclosed in a verse that he will then get up and read at the ceremony? What if it was a flower to recognize the members of the family who have passed, and it gives dad an opportunity to recognize those family members?

If the bride chooses not to have a unity candle, but wants some gesture like it, she can have her bridal bouquet designed by having several small bouquets put together. At an appropriate time during the ceremony, the bridal bouquet is "broken up" and various people might receive a share, such as the mothers and fathers of the bride and groom.

Now, if the bride wants to hang onto her bridal bouquet during the wedding ceremony, but is willing to have some fun with it at the reception, there are a few options there as well. How about a dance involving the bridal bouquet? This is silly, but fun. The bridal bouquet is on display somewhere near the dance floor and guests must guess a flower that's in the bouquet before they can enter the dance floor. The first few guests might not have a problem as some flowers are obvious, like roses and tulips, but others might give people pause. Of course, this won't work if the bridal bouquet is all roses or some other single and obvious flower but for a traditional mixed bouquet, it can work well.

For a naughty touch, the bride can hide her garter in the bridal bouquet and actually put it on her leg before the groom takes it off. Or she can have a couple of breakaway bouquets that are wrapped in garter belts, so hers doesn't get thrown, but instead the tiny bouquets with garter belts attached are thrown.

When it comes time for the bride to throw her bouquet, there are several options. Some brides choose not to keep their bouquet and simply pluck one flower out of it before chucking the whole thing during the bridal bouquet toss. This is an alternative to having a special bouquet set aside for throwing, and there are others as well.

Are there are a lot of single women coming to the wedding? Maybe one thrown bouquet won't be enough. Many brides these days are opting for something a little more fun. There are a few options, really. One popular option is to have the florist create several small bouquets and then bundle them to look like one bouquet. They are tied lightly with a ribbon. When it comes time for the bouquet toss, the bride unties the ribbon, and throws the "bouquet" which is actually several little bouquets. Several women will catch the bouquet, rather than just one.

The Value of Gift Baskets

2008-11-15T06:51:00.002+08:00

In Asia, part and parcel of doing business is to take care of your customers with that extra personal touch. This usually means sending Gift Baskets for business and corporate relationship building exercises. During my days in the corporate world, we would often receive numerous gift baskets during any festive season which were sent to us from our suppliers. Likewise, we would also send gift baskets to our customers to remember them.

Although I'm not sure about it in this country, I do know that such practices are Business Gift Tax Deductable in some countries so there is more than one way to benefit from following these practices. Not only do you build your relationship with your customers and clients, but you also reap the tax benefits for doing something beneficial for your company. Not only is it beneficial to the company, but in some instances, not following such practices is not only a disadvantage for your company but it can also be detrimental to your company's success. In such instances, being "penny wise" could result in being "pound foolish".

Even though I am no longer in the corporate world my hubby still deals with Corporate Gift Services for his business customers. However, I find keeping tabs on such services can come in handy not only for corporate gifts but for other occasions as well. These suppliers don't only specialise in corporate gifts but they also make gift baskets for weddings, birthdays, baby events, congratulations and any other event or purpose you might require a gift basket for. Gift baskets are a terrific idea when you don't know what else to give in such events.

Fun Ideas For Unity Candles

2008-11-15T06:49:00.000+08:00

If you are planning a wedding and plan to have a unity candle as part of the ceremony, you might want to think outside the box.

Traditionally, the unity candle involves three candles. The bride has one, the groom the other, and their two lighted candles light the third candle. This is done to represent the coming together of the two people to make one unit. In some alternate methods, family members are invited to participate in the unity candle lighting, often the mothers of the bride and groom, or other close members of the family. Each family then lights a candle, and together they light the unity candle to symbolize of the coming together of the families.

Now, there are a few twists you can add to this fairly conventional aspect of a wedding ceremony. You can provide each guest with an unlit candle when they arrive at the ceremony. After the couple lights the unity candle, they can ask the guests to move to the front of the church (or wherever the ceremony is being held) and light their candles with the lighted unity candle. This can take a bit of time and might be best with a smaller guest list. But it is a meaningful way to not only get your guests involved in the ceremony itself, but also symbolize the union of family and friends with the marriage.

If there is a large guest list and it would be a prohibitive waste of time to do a candle lighting involving everyone at the ceremony, some brides and grooms like to bring the unity candle to the reception. Light the candle again and provide each guest with a small votive candle (the candle holder will be on the tables at individual table settings). As guests come into the reception area or hall, they can light their votive and take it to their table to place into the votive holder. This small votive candle can double as a wedding favor, particularly if you decorate or enhance a plain votive candleholder in some way to coordinate with your wedding.

Of course, you can forget having a unity candle at the ceremony altogether. Many brides these days are trying to reduce the length of the ceremony and spend more time planning the reception. In that light, some choose to do away with a unity candle altogether. You can certainly do this, or you can cut it out of the ceremony and make it part of the reception.

To do this, you can use the votive candle option suggested above, or you can simply incorporate the unity candle lighting into the reception activities themselves. For example, you might choose a quiet moment in the reception to have a lighting of the unity candle. It might be during a short prayer prior to the serving of the meal, or right before the cake is cut. In this case, the unity candle can then be used as decoration on the cake table. As the bride and groom cut the cake and pieces are served to guests, the candle can also serve as a reminder of the couple's new bond and that the bond is shared with all the guests as well.

Although having a unity candle at the wedding or reception isn't necessary, it is certainly an option that many brides and grooms opt to include. But it's important to remember that as with so much surrounding wedding planning there are ways to make it unique and interesting and special to the couple getting married.

Big Women Don't Need to Look Sexy??!

2008-11-15T05:58:00.003+08:00

A few of my friends are plus size women and one of the things they complain about is not being able to find underwear that fit them, let alone anything sexy. It's really annoying to go into lingerie shops only to discover that the lingerie they sell comes in one size - "free size". Please! One-size fits all? You've got to be kidding me. I'm not exactly a large woman and even I find it hard to fit into those one-size fits all lingerie. Even if I manage to squeeze into it, I get what my hubby calls "the muffin effect" which is hardly sexy even if looked great on the mannequin.

Even if they do have sizes, most shops here don't stock anything very large. I wear an XL in most of the shops around here (and we're talking international brands - not some locally branded items) and sometimes even that doesn't fit me. Considering I'm about a size 10 in Australia, I can't imagine where larger women have to go to find something that fits them.

Just because a woman is a plus size doesn't me she doesn't want or need to look sexy. Especially after marriage and having your first child, it's nice on occasion to get some sexy lingerie to spice up your marriage. The fun in your relationship doesn't have to end just because you're married with children. In fact, it becomes even more important. After having a baby, I'm no longer my svelte pre-baby size - and I'm sure many other women can identify with me. Finding lingerie that fits me without making me feel miserable about the extra weight that refuses to budge has become a challenge.

If you're a plus size woman frustrated by the lack of Plus size lingerie available, Flirty Lingerie is just what you're looking for. They have Plus Size Corsets, Plus Size Babydolls and much more. Now you can look and feel sexy no matter what size you are.

Weddings: Centerpiece Activities

2008-11-12T20:23:00.000+08:00

The question of who will get to take home the centerpiece can sometimes be a central discussion at reception dinner tables, particularly if the centerpiece is particularly pretty or original.

Making a game of who gets the centerpiece, then, can be an amusing diversion and one many guests will enjoy participating in. Here are some ideas for giving away that reception table centerpiece.

How about a game of 20 questions? Give each guest a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. The MC or DJ asks a series of 20 questions, but first gives the guests the basic background information, that is, that the answer is an animal, place, person or thing. Once that's taken care of, people can shout out questions and the MC or DJ will answer yes or no, and whoever figures out the answer first gets the first centerpiece, and that particular table is done playing. The game is repeated until one person at each table has won the centerpiece.

One of the most popular ways brides give away the table centerpieces is to put a number on the bottom of the centerpiece and give each guest a number. At some point in the evening, a number is called, each guest checks his or her number and whoever has the called number gets the centerpiece. There are many ways to put a twist on this traditional activity.

For example, you might provide each table with a number, but make it a lower number (ie. between 1 and 10) and the DJ or MC could move from table to table and have each guest do something a certain number of times. So, at the first table, for example, the guests might need to do "head, shoulders, knees and toes" six times and whoever does it first gets the centerpiece. Or, at the second table, the guests might be required to sing the alphabet 3 times or sing "twinkle, twinkle, little star" three times and whoever does that first get the centerpiece.

Another fun activity for divvying up the centerpieces is to require guests to produce a certain item. The DJ or MC moves from table to table, announcing what guests at that table will be required to produce in order to get the centerpiece. Maybe it's a Georgia quarter or a mint, or a doctor's appointment card. Whatever it is, the guest at each table who produces the requested item will get the centerpiece.

You can always make it easy and offer the centerpiece to the oldest person at the table, or the one who took the most number of years to finish college. Perhaps you could create an activity where the person who has the strangest talent (as voted on by the tablemates) wins the centerpiece. Then, if possible, that person might show off the talent for the entire reception party.

If you like musical chairs, you can play a game of musical dollar bills in order to give the centerpiece away. Someone takes out a one-dollar bill and music begins playing. Everyone at the table passes the dollar bill around the table and when the music stops, whoever is left holding the bill gets the centerpiece. Or this game can be played a bit more traditionally with the person with the bill being eliminated, and the game continuing until only one person is holding the bill. That person can then be awarded with the centerpiece. Or, for a fun twist, the bill can be passed around and when the music stops, the person holding the bill is told to return it to the person who first supplied it. That is the person who gets the centerpiece.

Some fun, and fairly traditional, ideas include the birthday person getting the centerpiece. At each table, the person who has a birthday closest to the wedding gets the centerpiece. Or if there are married couples at the table, the couple who have been together the longest can get the centerpiece, or the couple who were married most recently. Perhaps the centerpiece should go to the person with the longest hair, or the strangest shoes (again, this would be voted on by tablemates).

Active Wedding Reception Games

2008-11-05T02:02:00.000+08:00

We've all been to receptions that are standard - we welcome and celebrate the new married couple, watch them dance, and enjoy cake with them. But creative couples often enjoy coming up with fun games that include the entire guest list.

Including the guests is an excellent way to get people out of their chairs, meeting people they might not otherwise know and feeling like they are truly a part of the celebration, not just observers.

One fun and active game that can be played by all your guests, including grandma as well as the young children, is "want it now".

In this game, you designate a master of ceremonies (if you have a DJ for your wedding reception, this person can serve as the DJ). The MC will have a list of "wants" prepared before the reception. Everyone sits at their tables, and waits to hear the command. The MC says he wants a person with painted toenails. All the women with painted toenails run to the front of the room, toward the MC. Each time a table sends someone to the front first, they get a point.

Points should be tallied during the course of this game and prizes awarded at the end of the game. Be sure to have some obvious "wants", as is the painted toenails, or a man with a mustache or a child with a pink dress. But also include some surprises, like "a man with a brown purse" which will require a man to find a woman at his table with the brown purse and run up to the front of the room with that.

Another fun wedding reception game that includes all your guests is musical chairs using men as the chairs. All the men line up and kneel on one knee. The women begin playing the game of musical chairs, but when the music stops, they must find a knee to sit on. No "chairs" are removed during the version of the game, but instead people are eliminated when either the man falls down when the woman finds his knee or when the woman falls down. Both are out either way, and if both fall down, they are also both out then (as well as perhaps a bit bruised). This is a fun game that often brings on gales of laughter and adds to a relaxed reception atmosphere.

If many guests are traveling a good distance to the wedding or don't know many other guests, it's always fun to include a game that will allow them to now only get to know each other but the bride and groom as well. For this game, you'll need a MC again, which can be a very outgoing member of the wedding party or the DJ. The reception guests are broken into two groups, which can be as simple as having people count off "1, 2, 1, 2" and so on until the entire guest list is either a "1" or a "2". Then the two groups band together for the duration of the game.

The DJ, or MC, offers a series of questions relating to the bride and groom. The teams should work together to answer the questions, then as quickly as possible provide the answer. The bride and groom will confirm if the answer is correct or not. This is an excellent way for otherwise "stranger" guests to get to know one another and have some fun in the process. It's also an excellent way to get to know the bride and groom!

Organizing games at a wedding reception is a great way to get people involved and make them feel they are truly a part of the celebration. It's also a way to fill time, if the wedding planners know this isn't a "dancing" group or if you want to loosen people up for a long night of celebrating. Whether a small or large wedding, reception games work for just about any group.

In addition, don't assume wedding reception guests will be offended or annoyed by these active games. Most people report to wedding planners they truly enjoy being more active and having fun games to play during a wedding reception.

Shopping Contest: Share Your Shopping Confessions!

2008-10-31T23:02:00.000+08:00

Even though we don't really celebrate Christmas, it is still my favourite time of year. The hubby accuses me of being a closet shopaholic so I guess I ought to confess that I love going holiday shopping. If you do celebrate Christmas, then I'm sure this is probably one of the most expensive times of the year - what with Christmas presents to buy and holiday trips to plan over the long break...

Well, guess what? eBillme is running a shopping confessions contest where you stand a chance of winning the grand prize of $15000. I'm sure it goes without saying that the extra cash will really come in handy for the holidays. All you have to do is share a secret shopping experience that you want to confess and enter it to: http://www.shopandconfess.com/.

You can write a story, post a video (uploaded to Youtube), or use photos for your confession then submit your entry to the website above.

All I ask in return for sharing this news with you is that you name my blog: http://figur8.net/baby as your referring website. Good luck! For more details about this contest, check out the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG7Zwju20_U

Toronto Weddings

2008-10-30T02:35:00.005+08:00

When you're planning a wedding anywhere in the world, it is always great to have a resource guide handy specific to the locale of your wedding. That way you can have access to everything and anything you might possibly need for your wedding right at your fingertips - be it dance lessons, wedding photographers, cakes, invitations, honeymoon packages, and more. This is especially helpful if you want to save yourself some money by planning your wedding yourself instead of engaging a wedding planner.

Toronto Weddings is the perfect wedding guide for any couple looking to host their wedding in Toronto. They offer one of the most thorough and easy to use wedding directories I've seen. They list all the possible wedding requirements you might possibly need for your wedding, such as a toronto wedding photographer or toronto wedding videos, and ideas that you might consider incorporating for your wedding. Each link takes you to an extensive list of options you can choose from with easy links to the company websites and email contacts.

They also have a check list that simplifies your wedding planning so you can keep track of all the things you have taken care of. It really doesn't get easier than this, short of hiring your own wedding planner - and they even have a list of planners that you can hire in the event that you decide you'd rather get some help!

Planning for Your Honeymoon on a Cruise Ship

2008-10-29T00:15:00.000+08:00

Each year, thousands of couples make the decision to get married. If you are planning on becoming one of those individuals, then it is likely that you and your new spouse will plan a honeymoon. When it comes to selecting a honeymoon destination, you have a number of options to choose from.

Honeymoons are often thought of as vacations. In a way, the only difference between a family vacation and a honeymoon is romance and the lack of children. Honeymoons are supposed to a fun, exciting, memorable, but private time. Instead of vacationing with the whole family, a honeymoon often only involves the bride and groom.

As previously mentioned, you have a number of different options when it comes to planning your honeymoon. Many newlyweds schedule their honeymoons at popular beaches, ski resorts, or other secluded areas. Did you know that you can also have a honeymoon aboard a cruise ship? Cruise ships are increasing in popularity, but still many individuals do not consider them as a vacation option.

One of the reasons why cruise ships are rarely thought about when selecting a vacation destination, let alone a honeymoon, is because of their cost. It is no secret that cruise ship tickets are expensive, but this cost should not prevent you from having the perfect honeymoon to go along with the wedding of your dreams. If you are concerned with the cost, you may want to try obtaining discount cruise ship tickets.

Most discount cruise ship tickets can easily be found online or with the assistance of a travel agent. Discount cruise ship tickets are nice, but they are often hard to come by. Discount cruise tickets are sought after by many newlyweds and other vacationers. If by chance you do come across discounted tickets, you are urged to purchase them while you still have the chance.

Even if you must pay full price for the cruise of your dreams, it is likely that you will still receive a good deal. Despite the large cost of tickets, it is important to examine the activities available onboard and the length of the cruise. The longer the cruise and the more services available, the more expensive tickets are likely to be. If you take the time to figure out all the services that are included and the cost of overnight accommodations, you may see that cruises aren’t all that expensive after all.

Once you have made the decision to spend your honeymoon aboard a cruise ship, you will have to book reservations. As mentioned above, if you are looking to save money on your honeymoon, you are encouraged to search for discounted cruise ship tickets. If money is not an option, you may want to search for cruise ships that have romantic settings and romantic destinations.

When examining cruise ship destinations, you may want to take into consideration the possibility for romance at each destination. Since your honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic and relaxing time, you will want to select an environment that will keep those feelings alive. Cruise ship destinations are located all around the world. Popular destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. To find the perfect honeymoon cruise, you are encouraged to select a cruise that offers stops at destinations of your choice.

In addition to taking cruise ship destinations into consideration, you are also encouraged to examine the type of cruise that you wish to set sail on. Multiple cruise lines have ships that are targeted to specific groups of individuals. These cruises often include cruises for adventure lovers, the whole family, or couples. As a couple, you should be welcome on any cruise. If you are looking for a private, romantic, and intimate setting, you may want to avoided cruises that are targeted for family vacations.

Before booking your honeymoon trip on a particular cruise ship, you are urged to examine want you want and need out of your trip. Doing so will enable you to select the perfect cruise ship for you and your new spouse.

Pre Wedding Reception Activities

2008-10-22T21:59:00.000+08:00

There are so many little details to worry about when planning a wedding some might get forgotten. One tiny detail that often gets overlooked is how to keep guests entertained before the wedding reception "officially" begins.

There is no requirement that brides entertain their guests at all. After all, they have already attended your wedding ceremony (which was surely engaging and entertaining, right?) and they will soon get music, food and drink. What more could they want? It turns out, a lot. While the bride and groom are off having pictures taken, the guests are left to their own devices, chatting with other guests and wondering when the buffet will open.

In that light, it's worth at least considering some pre-reception options for keeping wedding guests entertained until the reception begins. Here are a few options, some tradition, some not so, but still fun.

First, you can do the traditional thing and provide guests with drinks and perhaps some light snacks. If the wedding is in the summertime, how about providing lemonade and iced tea? Or if it's the winter, coffee and hot tea or even hot cocoa depending on the style of your wedding. Providing a light snack isn't a bad idea, either, and that can be some appetizer-type food or just nuts, especially if the meal will be heavy.

Now, if you want to stray from tradition, there are many options. Some brides opt for entertaining the guests in the truest sense of the word. Clowns, anyone? How about live music?

If you want to venture into the fun and funky, consult the party planning pages of a local children's or parent's magazine. Here, you can find people who will entertain your children at their birthday parties, but many of them will happily take on wedding jobs. You can hire a clown to make balloon animals for the kids (and adults) in attendance, or to juggle a few things. Some clowns are true entertainers and will happily get the crowd involved by fetching items out of women's purses and juggling them.

Other non-traditional options for entertaining your guests include hiring a band to play music beforehand. If you plan to have classical music at your wedding, you can have a band come and play covers of current pop songs, or you can simply have your hired band arrive a bit early to entertain guests waiting for the full reception to begin.

If there are many children at the wedding, it's not too expensive to hire a children's band to sing and entertain the children for a bit. Then if the kids are a bit bored at the reception, they'll still have the memory of the earlier entertainment with them. In addition, while the children are being entertained, the adults can have a chance to chat and they will surely thank the bride for thinking of them in that way.

Some other options for entertaining your restless crowd before the festivities begin are to include them in the reception before it begins. This is a great time to ask people to sign the guest book and write something meaningful, since they will have more time than they would usually have as they file into the reception hall.

If the reception and the wedding ceremony take place in the same location, but the bride and groom are off having pictures taken, it may not seem as if there's this dilemma of how to keep the guests entertained, but there in fact, is.

In this case, you can have servers circulate with appetizer trays or you can do something more elaborate, such as some of the suggestions above. One popular option doesn't involve entertaining the guests at all. Say the wedding is being held at a historic house or mansion. During the lull before the reception, guests can be given a tour of the property. If the wedding and reception are both being held at the couple's new home, a tour of the property might be in order (assuming the guest list is fairly small).

Nice Bachelorette Party Games

2008-10-14T03:52:00.000+08:00

Planning a bachelorette party is one of the easiest parts of a wedding to plan. There are literally hundreds of ideas for things to do and a myriad of options for games. Many of those ideas are a bit on the racy side, but there are plenty that that are just plain clean fun.

For example, one popular bachelorette game involves asking the guests to become poets. Ahead of the party, take 50 index cards and on half, write romantic things, like "roses", "cuddly", etc. On the other 25 cards, write very non-romantic words or phrases, like "nose hairs" or "ironing". Then have each guest draw one card from each pile. They should then create a silly poem based on the two very different words or phrases they have chosen, for example, "Roses are red, your nose hairs are ewwwww."

One fun game that is sure to engender at least a few laughs is "name that item". Take a paper bag (a fabric bag is better if you have one) and fill the bag with typical "male items". The items might include a razor, a money clip, a tie, shoe polish, etc. Seal the bag, or fold it over really well. Then have each guest feel the bag and try to guess the contents. Have them write their guesses on a piece of paper. After everyone has had a chance to feel the bag, the contents are shown and the person with the most number of correct guesses gets the bag of male-oriented items.

Here's a fun idea. This game might take the whole of the bachelorette party, but it's a fun one that involves all the guests, helps them get to know one another and provides video proof you all had a good time. You need video cameras for this game, so if the host only has one camera, be sure to ask guests to bring more video cameras. Make sure you also have enough blank tapes for this game.

Depending on the number of guests at the party, you'll divide the party into two or more groups. It's best to divide the group into teams small enough so that the whole team can get into one car. So you'll have maybe five women on each team. You'll give each team a video camera, blank videotapes and a list of "scavenger hunt" type activities they must perform and tape.

Some video scavenger hunt ideas include having a complete stranger sing the national anthem, having a member of the team sing "I wish I were an Oscar Meyer hot dog" in the meat section of the grocery store and taping a stranger who can do a good impersonation of John Wayne.

The teams should be given a specific amount of time in which to complete their assigned tasks and then return to the party location (ideally, a home, in this case). The videos are viewed and the teams vote on the team that did the best. Bonus points are given for the team that creates their own stunts.

Bachelorette party games are not only designed to bring fun to the party, but sometimes to help people get to know one another. This might be a good opportunity for the bride's best friend to get to know the sister of the groom, or for the bride to get close to the groom's cousin or niece. So an icebreaker game isn't a bad idea.

This isn't perhaps the most intellectual of an icebreaker game, but it will likely break the ice early in the evening before you head out to other events. Play a game called "I never..." and see who takes the most drinks. So the first woman says, "I never..." and completes the sentence. The women who have done the thing the first woman says she's never done take a drink. Then the next woman claims to have "never" done something.

Some suggestions for this game are: "I never ..."

Lied about my age
Lied about my weight
Shoplifted
Got a speeding ticket
Ran naked through my house

Online Dating?

2008-10-11T03:50:00.003+08:00

The world has suddenly gotten a lot smaller ever since the internet was created. No longer having to wait for snail mail or to pay expensive telephone bills, you can now immediately message or talk to someone on the other side of the world online. Our circle of friends are rapidly expanding to anyone and everyone with an internet connection from anywhere in the world.

Naturally, the widening circle of friends leads to internet dating. If your pond is too small, you have access to the vast oceans of fish all around the world. Even if you don't know the first thing about meeting people online, there are internet dating sites that focus on helping people find their perfect match online. These sites offer dating profiles and internet dating tips to help you out.

Although I have never really agreed with the idea of "dating" a stranger I have never met in person, I suppose there are certain virtues of meeting partners online. Through written word, you can get to know a lot more about a person without making biassed initial first impressions based on visual appearances. By getting to know more about a person first, you avoid the pitfalls of superficial physical attraction that plague our society today.

I also never really thought online relationships could work, but my SIL and her boyfriend are a perfect example of a couple who met online whose relationship appears to be growing pretty well. As they say, "never say never". So if you're finding it hard to meet new people, internet dating might be something worth considering.

Bridal Shower Games

2008-10-08T22:47:00.000+08:00

If you're hosting a bridal shower, there are literally hundreds of games to choose from. Some are silly, some are serious, but all are about having some fun with the bride before she's married. Here's a sampling.

One fun game really puts the bride on the spot with regard to her knowledge of her husband-to-be's life. Prior to the party, have someone ask the groom a series of questions, such as where he was born, what his favorite food is, things like that. Then at the bridal shower, put the bride on the spot by asking her the answers to the questions. See how many she can get right (hopefully at least half!). If she does well, give the girl a prize; she deserves one.

One all-time favorite game is toilet paper wedding dresses. This game involves separating the guests into teams consisting of at least 2 people and no more than 5. Give each team a roll or toilet paper (or 2) and have them fashion a wedding dress out of the toilet paper. One of the team members will volunteer as the model. Provide them with a "dress up trunk" filled with jewelry and shoes. They must make the dress out of the toilet paper, but they can accessorize with the provided jewelry, shoes, gloves and hats. Place a time limit on this (5 minutes is adequate) and have the bride vote on the best dress. Be sure to provide prizes for the winning team!

Another fun game that's always a hit is making the bride get dressed while blindfolded. Tell the bride she is to pretend she's on her honeymoon and the power has gone off. She must prepare for her wedding night in complete darkness. Provide her with a suitcase filled with items and then blindfold her. She must get dressed in a certain period of time (2 minutes is adequate) while completely blindfolded and with no help from the guests. Include some silly items like oversized sunglasses, garden gloves or a flannel nightgown just to make it fun. This is a photo opportunity, so be sure someone is waiting to record the end result!

Another fun game puts the shower guests more on the sport than the bride. In this game, everyone puts their purses in the center of the room. Create a list of items commonly found in a purse and assign a point value and create a list of less common items and give them a higher point value. So you might give lipstick 2 points, a tampon 3 points, and sunglasses 5 points. But a granola bar could be 10 points and a staple remover, 15 points. Then go through the purses awarding points and give the person with the highest number of points (and therefore, the most items and probably highest number of unusual items) a prize.

Before the shower, create bingo cards for this shower bingo game. In the squares, put pictures of items you think the bride will receive at the shower. So, boxes might include things like lingerie, towels and the like. As the bride opens gifts, have people mark off that item on their bingo card. If nobody gets a "bingo" give a prize to the person who marked off the most number of items.

This next game is a derivation of a popular game that's often played at bachelorette parties and involves a stripper. This is the clean version. About 30 minutes into the party, have the bride leave the room and pass out pieces of paper. Have everyone write on the paper everything they can remember about the bride's outfit, hair, etc. How many rings is she wearing? What color is her blouse? Is she wearing open or closed toed shoes? Once everyone is done recording their observations, the bride comes back into the room and a prize is awarded to the person with the best observation skills.

Fun Wedding Photo Ideas

2008-10-04T23:31:00.001+08:00

Pictures are an integral part of any wedding. Newlyweds are usually thrilled to get their pictures back from the photographer so they can relive their special day. But there are many special activities you can build into a wedding that involve photos.

One fun idea that many brides employ is to take photos of everyone as they arrive at the wedding, almost like you do at a high school prom or company Christmas party. You can provide a backdrop and couples can pose either for a paid photographer or for whoever happens to pick up the camera. These pictures can be taken with a Polaroid camera for instant fun or with a disposable camera. If you want slightly higher quality photos, go for a digital camera.

This can be an excellent way to keep guests busy and happy until the "official" reception begins with the arrival of the bride and groom.

As an extension of that idea, you can take instant photos and create scrapbook pages or memory book pages with the photos. There can be supplies on hand so guests can create pages on site, or pages can be pre-made and photos simply placed into the prepared spaces. If guests don't want to create pages on site, or the bride doesn't want this particular activity going on, the photos can be saved for later. As a gift for the bride and groom, someone can create memory books with these photos.

If Polaroid cameras are used, another option is to have the people in the photo sign the Polaroid photo and place that in a basket somewhere. The bride and groom will enjoy looking at the photos later.

While it's not a particularly unique idea, many brides like to provide disposable cameras on each table at the reception so guests can capture candid shots of the reception and the table guests. These photos can be added to the newlyweds' wedding album or they can be placed into a separate album showing the wedding from the guests' perspective.

Another fun activity sure to be entertaining is to create a "silent photo guess" area. Here's how this works: before the wedding, someone close to the bride and groom collects pictures of the bride and groom at various stages in life. The photos should depict the bride and groom doing things, not at Christmas or with their first birthday cake. In other words, the photos should include some action, but it shouldn't be obvious in the picture what has taken place or where the person is.

Much like a silent auction, people will come along and look at the photos, then take a silent guess as to what the photos show. They can write their guess on a piece of paper and put it in a numbered basket that corresponds with the number on the photo. Reading these guesses during the reception is entertaining and sure to be amusing. The bride or groom can provide the real answers. This is a particularly fun activity at a relatively small, family wedding where the participants know the bride and groom very well.

If you want to provide an area for guests to have their photos taken but aren't thrilled with the "prom night" idea, how about having a photo corner set up somewhere in the reception hall or facility. Here, the wedding photographer will take candid shots of wedding guests. They might be couples, but could also be entire families, friends having a good time, or the groom being carried on the shoulders of the best man. Whatever the pictures end up being, they provide a fun, "let it all hang out" area for the wedding guests and a surprise for the bride and groom. Since they will likely be busy with all the reception details and having the time of THEIR lives, they might appreciate knowing their guests had a pretty good time too, as evidenced in the photos.

Engagement Party Games

2008-09-29T06:48:00.002+08:00

The engagement party is a time when the families of the couple will get to know one another. In some cases, this might be the first meeting between the two families or groups of friends and any icebreaker activity will be a welcome event.

In that light, whoever plans the engagement party (likely the bride's family, but it can be the engaged couple or anyone else who wants to plan the party) should plan a few games and activities designed to help everyone get to know everyone else.

1. Trivia Game

Create a "Trivial Pursuit" type game with questions about the bride and groom's lives. You might contain the questions to just facts and events relating to both the bride and groom (such as how long did it take her to say "yes" when he asked, where did he propose, where did they meet, etc), or you can include questions pertaining to their lives outside of each other and before they met each other. Not only can this be fun, but also it's an entertaining way for people to get to know each other and the engaged couple better.

2. "Get to Know You" Game

One popular icebreaker that's used at corporate functions and company parties can also work really well at engagement parties. Tape a card to each person's back and encourage him or her to work the room, mingle with everyone and particularly try to get to know someone they have never met before. Before moving on to someone else, be sure to make a comment about the person on the card on his or her back. Partiers write an impression of that person, such as "she seems sweet" or "he knows a lot about the weather".

This icebreaker ends when the mingling session is over. The cards are then read one by one and people not only get to know each other better, but enjoy hearing all the comments people made about them. Try to ensure that comments are complimentary or somehow presented in a positive light. Hurtful comments, obviously, are not appropriate.

3. Memory Name/Number Game

If this is truly the first time many of the guests have met, then another fun game involving the wearing of cards might be in order. In this game, each guest wears a card on their front that has their name on the front and a number on the back. They don't share with anyone what their number is. Guests mingle and chat and get to know each other over the course of the evening.

Toward the end of the evening, the cards are flipped over and the number side is shown. Everyone gets a piece of paper and writes the numbers on the paper, then tries to correspond the name of someone with their number. This fun game can be hard for people who are bad with names, but it's fun nonetheless.

4. Wedding and Marriage Advice Game

For an activity that doesn't put people on the spot quite so much, consider letting the already marrieds help out the to-be marrieds. Place two pieces of posterboard on the wall and mark them "advice from women" and "advice from men". Now is the time to offer advice about wedding planning, not about being married. That advice can come later. Encourage guests to offer their own wedding planning advice. The advice from older people at the party could be decidedly different from the younger couples in the group, making for an enlightening group of comments.

Pre Wedding Activities

2008-09-25T23:54:00.000+08:00

Planning pre-wedding activities is a little something extra that's not required, but certainly fun and entertaining for the guests. If the bride and groom keep in mind the distance some guests have traveled and keep activities relevant to that level of fatigue, they're sure to hit on some winning activities.

As you go about planning activities for the wedding, keep in mind other factors as well. Do many people have children with them? Will you provide childcare or will the children be participants in the activities? If you have several guests who are older, perhaps activities can be tailored in a ay they can participate as well.

Some of the more popular pre-wedding activities include things like a group manicure. All the women in the wedding party or ho are close to the bride (and certainly this could include men if they like manicures and want to hang out with the ladies) head to a nail salon and get their nails done. This can be relaxing for many women and provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the wedding weekend. The men might choose to golf or play a game of tennis while this is going on.

Many brides and grooms choose to provide structured activities for their guests prior to the wedding. If the wedding is on a Saturday night, for example, they might choose to provide a Friday activity, especially if most guests are local to the wedding. You might have a wedding luau. Many times pre-wedding activities center around bachelor and bachelorette parties, but what about a stag party that includes all the members of the brides and grooms families? You could plan some fun (and appropriate) games and head out to a restaurant for a night of fun and games. Be sure to limit the drinking and carousing as this might not sit well with some family members.

Here is a fun activity that can be done right before the wedding. Have someone begin a gift basket. The theme of the basket is "advice for the couple" and could be started by the best man or maid of honor. They take the basket to someone else's house, perhaps an aunt or cousin and leave it on the doorstep. That person adds an item (a book on how to end spousal arguments? Or a CD of romantic music?) and brings the basket to someone else's house. This activity can begin a week or two before the wedding and everyone should know it is coming around.

The basket can also be circulated the weekend of the wedding, but this ill only work if everyone is local and if they know the basket is coming. In this case, it also might be helpful to have someone bring the basket to a house, collect the item and the take the basket to the next location, reducing the need to have each person take the basket to its next location. Once it's full, someone can be in charge of putting the basket items together, wrapping it all up to make it look nice and bringing it to the bride and groom. It can be delivered right to the wedding as a gift in and of itself.

Whatever activities you choose, be sure to keep in mind the needs of your guests and the limitations of those guests. If you want to plan an activity that includes everyone, and you choose golf, but grandpa is in a wheelchair or uses a walker, that might not be the best activity to plan.

Interior Design New York

2008-09-11T23:50:00.003+08:00

Interior Design in New York City

I've always wanted to have my home professionally designed by interior designers. One of the reasons why I love browsing through home magazines is because I love looking at pictures of modern home designs with their clean, minimalistic decor.

For our next house, hubby and I have decided that we're going to do away with clutter and go for a simple and clean look - 21st Century living. Thankfully, we're both agreed on minimising the clutter of "decorative" furniture and will only get useful, practical and comfortable furniture.

Although we both agree that we don't mind how the house is designed as long as it meets our basic requirements, when it comes down to the nuts and bolts, I've discovered that we're actually pretty particular. That means it is important we speak to the right interior designers to make sure they can produce something that suits our tastes.

Bathroom Remodeling New York City

I don't know about you, but one of my basic requirements for a house is a nice bathroom. By "nice" I mean that it's got to be spacious and useful. I went house hunting once and saw a home with a bathroom that was so small, you had to walk sideways to get through some parts of it! That one small feature was enough to put me off the entire house! But that was before I knew about bathroom remodeling and the things you could achieve if you had the right interior designers working with you.

The kind of bathroom I envisage for my house is something akin to what you see in a five star hotel - double sinks, separate bath (maybe even with a jacuzzi) and shower, separate toilet with a bidet, full length mirror, and fluorescent lights (because I can't put on makeup in yellow light). I like my floor tiles to be non-slip and I like having lots of cabinets to hide away all those unsightly toiletries when they are not in use.

As you can see, it is important to have a fair idea of what you want your house interior to be like before you engage an interior designer. However, that said, a good interior designer should also be able to add on to your ideas.

Decorating Your Dream Home

2008-09-11T22:57:00.004+08:00

As a kid, I used to find it terribly boring whenever my mother would go shopping for house stuff, but that was because I never had my own house. It was only after I got my own place that I discovered how fun it could be to furnish it to my own tastes. Now, one of the things I look forward to with a new house is decorating it.

Aside from kitchen design and furniture for the living areas, I also enjoy choosing Window Coverings. Lately, I have grown quite fond of organza type curtains because of the breezy look they add to a room. Unfortunately, such curtains down provide much cover against the harsh sun, and well, living in a tropical country, protection against the sun is an essential must.

Blinds make great window dressings that are not only provide the modern feel I like to add to my house, but they also provide good insulation against the sun - especially if you know how to make the right choice. My main gripe about blinds are mainly with the horizontal ones because they seem to get spoilt more easily and they collect a lot of dust. A good solution is to opt for the vertical blinds, like this one:

Alternatively, cellular shades (like the Bali Shades you see in the picture below) are also a good option for insulation and convenience. Personally, I would still stick with the vertical blinds, though. Perhaps it is just me, but I always seem to have trouble working the mechanism - opening the shades when I mean to close them and closing them when I mean to open them.

Another very useful idea is to use sliding panels to divide a room (especially when you don't want to go through the hassle or expense of building a proper wall), or to seal off a space for storage area for all those bulky messy items you have nowhere to keep.

I've discovered that the internet can be a terrific resource of great design ideas for a new home, so if you don't know what to do with you new place, this is a great place to start.

Fashionable Mum

2008-09-11T22:26:00.004+08:00

Before I got pregnant, I often saw a lot of pregnant women wearing these awful blanket-like dresses with ugly lace and frills. I decided then and there that when I got pregnant, there was no way I would ever be caught dead in one of those dresses. I was determined to get myself some much trendier Maternity Clothes - failing which, I would resort to raiding the hubby's wardrobe which I was sure would be able to accommodate my growing belly to full term.

When I finally did become pregnant and started shopping in earnest for maternity stuff, I realised why there were so many pregnant women wearing those hideous dresses. The fact was plain and simple: there just weren't many shops that sold halfway decent Maternity Wear. Either that, or they were clothes that I struggled to fit into while I was still in my second trimester. I ended up having to go shopping in Singapore to find anything acceptable to my tastes.

If only I had bothered to search online, I would have found some Maternity Dresses I liked. Finding nice tops was a real challenge for me. I would have loved something like this (love the pants, too - I always did like boot leg styles):

Or this - which would have made a nice top to wear out in the evening as well:

Or this one - black is such a great slimming colour!

And if I had seen a dress like this, I would definitely have been amenable to the idea of wearing a maternity dress:

And this would have been such a lovely After 5 dress for all those weddings I had to attend while I was pregnant:

Whoever said being pregnant meant you had to dress ugly? Ah well... there's always the next pregnancy...

Affordable Wedding Gowns

2008-09-03T22:45:00.003+08:00

Weddings - they're a one in a lifetime event (at least that's what we all hope, anyway) and next to raising the kids and buying a home, I reckon they are probably the most expensive event a couple will ever host in their lives. That is, if you're a traditionalist and you want to go all out for that special day, and well, I think a lot of us are.

I don't know what it is about Wedding Dresses and evening gowns that I love. Although I'm usually a pretty practical person who would normally shun the idea of paying so much for something I would use only once, there is something magnetic about a wedding gown. I never tire of looking at them and I love the idea of getting dressed up to the nines and looking gorgeous for a night. Considering that a wedding day is such a special occasion, to cut back on expenses and settle on your second choice just because it was cheaper is likely to end up ruining one of the most precious memories of your life.

That said, although Bridal Dresses and Bridesmaid Dresses can be quite costly, you don't necessarily have to opt out on your dream dress because the price tag isn't right. If you're resourceful and know where to look, you can save quite a lot on the cost of your wedding dress and still get the perfect dress for your special day.

Check out some of these gorgeous gowns I found on the 'net. Almost makes me feel like getting married all over again...

Save the World from Disposable Bags

2008-08-15T22:56:00.000+08:00

While we're on the moral highway, I might as well get onboard the green one, too...

Ok, ok, so I've been quite good with the declining of plastic bags whenever it was unnecessary, but I can't exactly say I've been plastic bag free like my BFF who has been going green and strong for some three months. Although we have those green grocery bags from Safeway that my SIL bought for us to use, they are pretty bulky and rather cumbersome to carry around. Usually I end up forgetting to bring it along and then we have to use the plastic bags provided by the supermarket.

Recently, my BFF gave me a reusable bag she bought online from reusablebags.com which is much more practical because it folds up into a compact case that I can attach to my handbag. Now I can bring it along with me everywhere and use it whenever I make a purchase.

Today was my first day experiencing the plastic bag free life - I went shopping with my son and declined two bags. One small step for Mummy, another leap forward for the green life.

On my BFF's recommendation, I'm also pretty tempted to get one of these thermal sippy cups for Gavin:

Currently, I've been using the plastic Avent bottles for Gavin - which is probably somewhat better than the water they give us from outside. What I should start doing is bringing my own water for me, too - now that's something I've been rather slack with.

I've Got a New Career...

2008-07-28T09:25:00.000+08:00

Check it out! Click here.

Hehehe...

Toronto Flowers

2008-07-20T02:53:00.002+08:00

There is nothing quite like a bouquet of flowers to send a message to a person. You can say just about anything you want with flowers - condolences, happy birthdays, thank you, congratulations - the applications are virtually endless. Another great thing is that you can send flowers to someone virtually anywhere in the world and you can usually get it done by next day delivery.

This feature has saved me plenty of times when I wanted to send birthday flowers to my mother. Having a tendency of forgetting and leaving things up to the last minute, the one thing I can rely upon is making sure my mother gets flowers on those special occasions.

Flowers are also a great gift if you don't know what to get. Unlike the pen gift that screams, "I didn't know what to get you so I bought you a pen," nobody ever thinks like that when they receive flowers. In fact, flowers are generally a very well received gift. Nowadays, you can even throw in something extra with your flowers like balloons, a box of chocolates or a teddy bear. Most floral services provide the additions which makes it extra convenient.

My personal favourites are orchids and roses. For my wedding flowers, I had white roses for my theme and bouquet, and in my pre-wedding shoot, I used orchids. Orchids make great cut flowers because they have one of the longest shelf-life for cut flowers. But when it comes to sending birthday flowers, I generally prefer to send Gerbers because I love the vibrant colours that they come in.

The next time you're stuck for ideas for a gift, think about sending some flowers...

Wedding Cards

2008-07-10T08:13:00.000+08:00

Now here's a site I wish I had come across when I was busy designing our wedding invitations... One of the difficulties I had was trying to describe to the designer exactly what I wanted in terms of colour scheme and paper type. Do you know how difficult it is to describe a specific shade of red when you don't have a sample to show? It probably doesn't help that not a lot of people around her know the difference between maroon and burgundy so descriptive terms don't exactly help either.

In retrospect, it would have been a lot easier to buy wedding invites instead of trying to come up with a design of my own. I would have saved myself a world of trouble letting someone else help me create a sophisticated wedding card design.

Honeymooning in Taihiti

2008-05-15T09:16:00.001+08:00

After planning your own wedding, you'll begin to realise that weddings are all about the parents and nothing about the bride and groom. It is basically the parents' way of announcing to their friends and the rest of the family that their son/daughter is finally getting married and it is to a "decent" person. After the exhaustive planning and an even more wearing wedding day (or days if you're unlucky enough to have to endure it), you'll be looking forward to a nice, well-deserved honeymoon.

Indeed, the whole existence of the honeymoon is so that the bride and groom can finally have a little R&R for themselves. Personally, if it were left up to me, I would have eloped and spent all my money on the honeymoon.

And if you want some R&R, then there's really no more relaxing place to honeymoon at than tahiti and the other islands that make up the french polynesia. If the white sandy beaches and aqua blue waters can't bring calm and centering to your tumultuous being after a hectic wedding, then you can try a spa package at the beautiful and tranquil bora bora nui resort and spa. If that doesn't work, I very much doubt anything will.

Unique Wedding Cards

2008-05-05T02:27:00.003+08:00

When you're planning a wedding, getting out the invitation cards early can sometimes be a real challenge - especially if you have invitations like the ones we had. We had to get a Chinese translation, we had to get everyone's Chinese names written correctly (which was tough when some of us don't read or write Chinese!) and we had to get a Chinese calligrapher to write out the names on some of the invitations. It was almost like trying to get an approval for artwork back at my old company!

The problem with wedding invitations is that if you don't get them out early, your friends might end up booking themselves for other activities on your planned wedding date.

So what can you do? Send out save the date magnets!

These magnetic cards are a little like a teaser one might send out leading up to a PR launch. It just tells your friends to keep the date free and it's magnetised so they can stick it onto their fridge or reminder notice board. These save the dates cards also avoid the problem that can occur if you send out your wedding invitations too early - people forgetting your wedding event!

Yes, it happens! When an event is too far ahead in time, it is easy for it to slip by without us remembering. Some friends of mine had booked tickets to watch Phantom of the Opera but because they had booked so far in advance (the tickets for earlier performances were all sold out) they forgot to go on the night of the show.

Last but not least, these magnets also make great wedding memorabilia. Whatever you decide, they're definitely worth considering.

Wedding Planning

2008-05-05T02:02:00.002+08:00

They say that your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life. Since most of us hope we only ever go through it just the one time, we try to plan our wedding to get it as perfect as possible. Although I was pretty happy with the way my wedding turned out, when I look back upon it, sometimes I wish I had done some things differently.

Having the right advice would have made all the difference to my wedding because there were things that I wanted but didn't get because I didn't know where to get them. Then there were things I cut out because I thought it was decadent to spend so much money on an event that no one but I would remember. In retrospect, I think I could have gotten what I wanted by cutting back on the costs for things that didn't really matter to me and adding in the things that I really wanted.

Well, they say that hindsight is 20/20 vision and in my hindsight, the advice I would offer new couples who are planning a wedding is to start early because time goes by a lot faster than you realise and to do your homework because you'll be surprised what wedding tips you can pick up if you just take a look around.

New Year Traditions

2008-04-30T03:48:00.002+08:00

There is a Chinese gambling tradition to usher in the New Year (the Chinese one, that is) with a spot of gambling. Although I don't really know what the significance of it is, I think it has something to do with a new year bringing new luck and good fortunes. Everyone wants to try their luck and get off to a fast start to the year by making some "easy" money.

Although the tradition is to go house visiting and playing games like Blackjack, or Mah Jong, sometimes you may find yourself a stranger in a strange land with no one to "open the tables" with. Times like that, you can still get into the gambling spirit by trying you hand with an online casino. If you've never gambled online before, you should check out a Beginners Guide to Online Gambling.

It may not be the same as playing against your friends and family, but it might make your New Year feel a little more like home. Plus, you get to test out your luck for the new year and maybe walk away with a few extra dollars. You should be warned through, that the odds are always in favour of the house so the only real way to make money with a casino is to own one yourself. Otherwise, you're really just testing how lucky you can get.

click here to see

Wedding Expenses

2008-04-30T02:52:00.002+08:00

Before I got married, I often heard a lot of jokes about the financial commitments of getting hitched. I thought at first it was about the house, the cars, and the kids to come that added to the financial burden between two individuals planning a life together. Sure all those things add up, but what no one ever tells you until you get there is that the act of getting married itself is a rather costly affair.

Gowns, photography, videography, event planning, function room hire, flowers... it all adds up and it is no small figure either. It certainly gives new meaning to the concept of eloping. You no longer elope just to marry the undesirable suitor your parents didn't approve of, but you elope to escape the undesirable wedding costs that will set you into a negative bank account even before you've bought your first home together!

That's where bad credit loans can come in handy. When you're stuck financially, or even if you've had a little bit of a shady financial past that many banks don't seem to want to overlook, you can still apply for bad credit credit cards and get alternative methods to finance your expenses on credit. You're no longer doomed to leading a life of cold hard cash just because your credit rating is against you.

So when you're ready to take on the more serious path in life - getting married, buying a house, having kids - you no longer have to worry about your past mistakes catching up with you.

We've Moved

2007-12-05T20:00:00.000+08:00

Getting Hitched is has moved to a new domain with a new name and new theme. Life moves on and it is no longer about getting married. We've been there, done that and now we're living the life after marriage. If you wish to continue following this blog, please click on this link.

Moving Out

2007-08-23T20:54:00.000+08:00

I’ve never liked moving houses. I guess I find it particularly difficult because I have a tendency to get rather sentimental about my stuff and usually a move means I have to start throwing things out. Back in the days when I was a student, it was easier because I didn’t have large pieces of furniture to cart around. Whenever I had to move, it usually involved a couple of cars and some helpful friends. Now that I have my own home, I have to call in the movers to help with the furniture.

I’m already complaining just moving from one neighbourhood to the next. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to move interstate or worse yet – overseas! I guess my SIL must be a real pro by now since she’s been moving across states quite a number of times over the last few years. She’s had to arrange for auto shipping for her car and storage facilities for her stuff (since she usually comes back to visit us during a move).

My brother has also had to do quite a bit of moving. He’s had to arrange for international movers to ship his stuff to Taiwan and pretty soon he might be moving to China. I think his next move will be his biggest challenge yet because he is an even bigger junk hoarder than I am. When he moved to Taiwan, he left a lot of stuff in storage. Now that he might be moving to China, he’s going to have to dump a lot of stuff. That will be really interesting to see.

It helps a lot if you can enlist a good company to assist with your relocation. A professional approach and good service can ease the pain of moving. I suppose that will be the key for us when the time comes for us to move into our new home. I'll definitely need to look up some home improvement ideas for our new house, too.

A Tale from Two Writers

2007-08-05T19:48:00.000+08:00

After all the talk, I'm finally putting my words where my mouth is. I've started a writing projection with PL since I don't seem motivated enough on my own to actually sit down and put together a real story.

It's very raw and very much a work in progress. In fact, we only have 600 words at present but it's growing every week so do tune in and tell us what you think - the good, the bad and the ugly, we want to hear from you.

Click here to start reading Writing Project - yeah, I know, the name's not exactly very inspiring but I guess it's better to be writing than to waste time throwing up ideas for a name and getting no words down.

Earn a Side Income Blogging

2007-08-04T12:32:00.000+08:00

I first started blogging in 2005 when my friend introduced me to the blogosphere. I started a blog initially to keep my friends up to date on my wedding plans. Since I enjoyed writing so much, I kept this blog going and started a few more covering other areas of my life. After I left my job, I started exploring opportunities online to make money. Towards the end of 2006, I discovered I could get paid for blogging. What a novel concept it was! It was such a great way to earn an extra side income because I really enjoyed blogging and getting paid to do what I enjoyed was like the icing on the cake.

Since then, a lot more blog for money opportunies have cropped up, creating a new industry and an interesting new way to consistently earn a side income. If you have a popular blog, you can actually make a pretty decent income out of blogging for money because popular blogs with high traffic get paid more per review post than ordinary blogs. If you have a blog, it could be something you might like to try out.

Getting Hitched is Moving

2007-07-16T13:12:00.000+08:00

Getting Hitched has a new home and a new look. Do come and visit us there!

Babylicious

2007-07-03T11:22:00.000+08:00

Baby's Diary has a new look and a new home (thanks C for the suggestion of BD's cool new name). I finally registered my own domain name and have been busy migrating my existing blogs to a new home. Visit Babylicious for all things related to babies, parenting and family.

Interesting Online Bidding Game

2007-06-29T08:27:00.000+08:00

Bid4Prizes is an interesting new game online. I've seen a similar concept advertised before on TV. The concept is simple. A range of products are put on offer and everyone makes a bid on them. The person who bids the lowest unique price on the item wins the prize.

There are two levels of membership - you can register for free or you can be a paid member which gives you more bid options. Bid4Prizes gives away free prizes so you don't have to pay anything for them. Even the handling and shipping charges are free.

To make a bid for a prize, all you have to do is key in your bid and your cell phone number. Your cell phone number is so they can contact you if you win the bid. The bid is just a number that you guess might be the lowest bid price that no one else will bid - you don't actually have to pay that amount if you win.

Winners are announced on a daily basis and the prizes on offer range from cash prizes to designer bags to technological items. It sounds pretty good to me - play a game for free with the bonus of winning free gifts - it certainly doesn't get any easier than that. My only gripe is that it is only available to US citizens.

Dead in Cyberspace?

2007-06-25T16:19:00.000+08:00

Nope, nope, still here. Just in case anyone is wondering where I've gone, I've been busy working on a little pet project. I'll tell you about it soon but I don't want to write about it just yet. If you want to see it, then I suggest you check back here or at one of my other blogs to see what it is when I announce it... ;o)

A Coloured Engagement Ring?

2007-06-23T06:29:00.000+08:00

The tradition of having diamond rings to mark the engagement between couples has always been a Western one, however, the diamond has not always been the gem of choice. In history, engagement rings have also been represented with plain gold or silver bands that merely marked a promised between a couple that they will be married at some future appointment. The presence of a gemstone on the engagement ring was once used to mark a union within the aristocracy.

The significance of the diamond in an engagement originated from its physical properties which are used to symbolise a union that is everlasting. However, in some countries, coloured gemstone rings are also quite popular engagement rings, for example, in France. In such cases, rings with semi-precious stones are preferred, for instance, emerald rings, sapphire rings, and ruby rings. There was also a time in history when engagement rings were chosen according to the individual's birth stone so it was not uncommon to find aquamarine rings, amethyst rings, topaz rings, garnet rings, pearl rings, or rings with any of the other birthstones.

I remember something my brother said at the time when he was shopping for his wife's engagement ring (then his girl friend), "I think it would only be right that this ring costs more than the most expensive item I have ever bought for myself." Barring the house and car, of course. So if you are a guy and you agree with my brother's philosophy, then I suppose as long as your engagement ring costs more than anything you have ever bought for yourself, it doesn't really matter whether the ring you buy carries a diamond or something else.

Personally, I like the idea of a diamond ring just because I love diamonds. A diamond goes well with almost any outfit in your wardrobe which makes it the most versatile of the gems. I also agree with the belief that an engagement should be marked with a stone of value to symbolise the union between a couple. That said, gems of value could still be used to carry the same meaning.

A ruby with it's fiery red heart goes well with the symbolism of love, passion and romance. Rubies also work well with the Chinese tradition because red is the colour of celebration and happiness. If you have ever attended a traditional Chinese wedding, you may have noticed that a lot of objects are adorned in the colour red because red brings good luck, prosperity and all good things.

Although blue is my favourite colour, I don't think a sapphire would be approved by the older Chinese generation because blue is the colour of death. Blue is worn during funerals in the shade of royal blue. It is always preferred not to have anything blue associated with a wedding because it would be akin to wearing black to a Western wedding. I suppose in such a case, pink sapphire rings would make a nice substitution if sapphires are your gem of choice.

In some parts of Europe, engagement rings for the grooms double up as their wedding rings. I guess that makes things easier for the ladies since we only have to buy one ring. And if your partner is like my hubby, then you don't have to worry about looking for diamond encrusted rings because all he wants is a simple gold band.

Shanghai Holiday, June 2007

2007-06-17T23:43:00.000+08:00

Sometime during my pregnancy, my brother told me he was getting married and that the wedding was going to be held in Shanghai. The hubby and I thought we would take this great opportunity to extend our trip and take a little holiday around Shanghai since neither of us had ever been there.

That was before Gavin was born. Of course everything changed after he was born. For instance, we totally underestimated the power of our son's call to us. After he was born, the idea of leaving him behind while we went off on a holiday suddenly seemed too unbearable. As a result, we cut our four day holiday to an overnight trip where we would just attend my brother's wedding and fly back ASAP.

Even then, we thought we might at least get a chance to see a little of Shanghai before we had to leave. Here are the three photos I took from our trip that were not related to the wedding:

Above: Hubby and Mom walking out to the hair salon where Mom and I got our hair done for the wedding.

Above: Another shot of Mom and Hubby - you can see a part of the Sofitel Hotel where we stayed at behind them. I did take another photo of the Hotel with the revolving restaurant at the top but I had to delete the photo because silly me forgot to download the previous photos on my memory card before we left so I had very limited spare memory on my camera for the wedding photos.

Above: a telephone card machine at Shanghai airport that I took using my mobile phone camera. It was meant to be one of those shots for "English bloopers". If you take note that they spelt "automatically" as "automatially". Even if you assume that they simply missed printing the letter "c", the grammar is still incorrect.

Yup, a trip to Shanghai and all we saw was the airport, the hotel and a hair salon.

Oh No! I'm Turning into Monica!

2007-06-14T17:53:00.000+08:00

Help me - I'm turning into Monica from Friends!

When I was in highschool, I was such a perfectionist that I had my bookshelf organised in order of largest to smallest. If anyone borrowed a book from me, they had to put it back in the exact same spot they found it. It also had to be back exactly the way they found it. If it was so much as a milimeter out of place, I would be annoyed. Worst still if it was jammed into the wrong spot!

I thought I finally freed myself from the obsessive compulsive need to have everything neatly in place when I started working. There were times when my room was so messy you could be forgiven for thinking a tornado has just been through.

They say "old habits die hard" and they were right. Recently, the hubby and our maid have displayed an annoying habit of not closing all the cupboards and drawers properly and it has been driving me insane! It's the strangest thing because it never used to bother me before. Suddenly I can't stand the sight of a partially opened drawer or a cupboard door that isn't shut.

I've been trying not to let it bother me, but I still have a tendency of shutting it properly whenever I find them open. Somewhere along the way something has triggered off my OCD.

Shanghai Wedding

2007-06-12T18:01:00.000+08:00

The weekend came and went and just like that, my brother's wedding was over. I still find it amazing how much planning is involved in a wedding only for it to be over before you know it.

I don't know if this was a typical wedding by Shanghai standards since it is the first one I have ever been privy to but it was certainly very different from mine. Regrettably, I didn't get a chance to take photos leading up to the main event in the evening because the hubby and I took a very short overnighter. We arrived in Shanghai with enough time to visit to the hair salon, attend the dinner and taste some rather mediocre breakfast at the airport before flying back home to our son.

I'm afraid I took some rather horrid pictures from the wedding. Ordinarily I would have snapped so many photos I would have had to have some good shots. Since I stupidly forgot to download my old photos, I had limited memory to play with. Even so I'm quite surprised how badly my photos turned out. Luckily KH was there to play unofficial photographer so I'll wait until he sends me the DVD copy from his camera before I post up the full details of the wedding.

In the mean time, here's a sneak peek of the wedding dinner:

Ripponlea, Melbourne 2004

2007-06-08T01:27:00.000+08:00

Ripponlea is one of the last privately owned estates in Melbourne. It has since been converted to a National Trust where people can visit to observe what life of the wealthy had been like during the 19th century.

I've always loved old-style houses, especially estates because I marvel at the grounds. I would have loved to have been a child growing up in a house like this.

Many of the photos taken inside the house are blurry because I wasn't allowed to use a flash. This was back before I got the Casio Exilim, and I didn't know how to toggle with the ISO settings. You can still get a pretty good idea of what it was like to living in an estate back then.

Photos of Fitzroy Garden

2007-06-08T01:26:00.001+08:00

Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne 2004

2007-06-08T00:30:00.000+08:00

Fitzroy Gardens is probably my all time favourite park in Melbourne. I love the little cafe at the heart of the park next to the Model Tudor Village. During my years studying at Melbourne University, I would take a tram into the city and get off just before the park. I would then walk through the park and all the way up to the Dental Faculty for class.

In my final year, when I needed a break from studying, I would take a copy of my Herald-Sun and a book, and walk all the way from my flat in North Melbourne to the cafe in Fitzroy Gardens. I would then order myself a hot chocolate and sit by the fireplace while I worked on my crossword puzzle.

Yes, Fitzroy Gardens brings back plenty of memories.

When I went back with the hubby for Christmas in 2004, it was one of the places I just had to show him. Here are some photos:

Below: inside the conservatory

Below: Captain Cook's Cottage

Below: The Fairy Tree

Below: the Model Tudor Village

Below: Inside my favourite cafe next to the fireplace.

There are more photos but Slide.com was undergoing modifications so I couldn't upload the slideshow. I'll post up the slideshow when Slide is back online.

5 Golden Rules

2007-06-06T22:02:00.000+08:00

Something interesting I received a long time ago and thought it wise to keep. Funny thing is, I completely forgot all about it when I was busy choosing my life partner. After reading through it again, I think the advice Heller provides is very sound and practical. If you're thinking about getting married, these are some great questions you should be asking yourself.

5 Golden Rules For Finding Your Life Partner
by Rabbi Dov Heller, M.A.

A relationship coach lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr/Ms Right!

If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love." I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date.

Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone). Though this may sound not politically correct, there's a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can't build a lifetime relationship on love
alone. You need a lot more.

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION #1: Do we share a common life purpose?

Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a
common life purpose. Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. Fifty percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life - bottom line - and marry someone who wants
the same thing.

QUESTION #2: Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust i.e. trust that I won't get "punished" or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel motionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION #3: Is he/she a mensch?

A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions: Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis? Are they serious about improving themselves? A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always
striving to be good and do the right thing." So ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic? Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement. There are essentially two types of people in the
world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION #4: How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure. Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this,
think about the following:

1) How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as a waiters, bus boy, taxi driver etc?
2) How do they treat parents and siblings?
3) Do they have gratitude and appreciation?
4) Do they show respect?

If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they'll have gratitude for you - who can't do nearly as much for them! Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION #5: Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after
we're married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve" them after they're married. As a colleague of mine puts it, "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage...for the worse!" If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues.

Falling in love is a great feeling but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.

The River of Life

2007-06-02T00:51:00.000+08:00

Here we go... the answer to an earlier post:

A Prose to Live By

2007-06-02T00:47:00.001+08:00

How true... We often say a lot of inappropriate things when we are motivated by emotions.

Being True to Oneself

2007-06-02T00:42:00.000+08:00

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes I feel like I don't know who I am any more. I move through life like a log flowing down a river. I avoid running against the grain of life whenever possible just so I can maintain the harmony in my life. Yet it is a life I am not happy to be living.

So which is better? To placidly go about life morose and sullen or to go about kicking and screaming yet remaining true to myself? Perhaps I have already answered my own question.

The Paradox of Life

2007-06-02T00:30:00.001+08:00

Isn't that always the way? In life we reject the things that come too easily. We don't want the ones that want us. We want the ones that don't want us. When the ones we don't want no longer want us, we want them back. When the ones we want decide they want us, we no longer want them.

What a paradoxical little world we live in. If only we could learn to be content with what we have, then perhaps everyone will be a little happier in life.

Note to Self

2007-06-02T00:27:00.001+08:00

A good reminder to myself - a person who always feels a need to explain myself...

Balanced Relationships

2007-06-02T00:23:00.001+08:00

I've had a number of friends pass this way lately and I think this message is a very apt one for them:

Growing Old Together

2007-06-01T07:29:00.000+08:00

In the movie Before Sunrise, the character Celine makes a comment about an elderly couple fighting on the train that runs something along the lines of:

"That's how marriages last - as the woman grows older, she becomes deaf to low frequency sounds and as the man grows older, he becomes deaf to high frequency sounds so they can both shout each other and neither will hear what the other is saying."

I used to think it was amusing. Now I'm wondering about the truth to it because I seriously think my hearing to low frequency sounds is started to get impaired...

Gonna be a Bear

2007-05-31T16:36:00.000+08:00

Something funny for the ladies that I received through email...

Chance versus Choice

2007-05-31T16:30:00.000+08:00

Sad to say, I don't know who wrote this. It's one of those beautiful pieces of writing that gets passed along through email that I happened to save. While cleaning out my hard drive, I came across it. I felt that the words captured here are too precious to keep to myself, so I'm posting this out.

I've known too many couples who were perfect for each other but failed in their relationships because they left everything up to chance. They failed to make that choice. So here it is...

When we meet the right person to love when we're at the right place at the right time. That's chance. When you meet someone you you're attracted to, that's not a choice. That's chance. Being caught up in a moment (and there's a lot of couples who get together because of this) is not a choice. That's also a chance.

The difference is what happens afterward. When will you take that infatuation, that crush, that mind-blowing attraction to the next level? That's when all sanity goes back, you sit down and contemplate whether you want to make this into a concrete relationship or just a fling.

If you decide to love a person, even with his faults, that's not a chance. That's choice. When you choose to be with a person, no matter what, that's choice. Even if you know there are many people out there who are more attractive, smarter, and richer than your mate, and yet, you decide to love your mate just the same, that's choice.

Infatuation, crushes, attraction comes to us by chance. But true love that lasts is truly a choice. A choice that we make.

Regarding soulmates, there's a beautiful movie quote that I believe is so true about this: "Fate brings you together, but it's still up to you to make it happen."

I do believe that soulmates do exist. That there is truly someone made for you. But it's still up to you to make the choice if you're going to do something about it or not. We may meet our soulmates by chance, but loving and staying with our soulmate is still a choice we have to make.

With This Ring...

2007-05-28T00:34:00.000+08:00

When the hubby and I were selecting our weddings bands, I initially wanted us to get matching bands. We soon had to throw out that idea because our tastes were so far apart that we couldn't reach a compromise on the style.

Then I came up with this crazy idea to design our rings so that when we took them off, you could place them together and one would fit into the other. We would make a plain design for the hub, while mine would be a little more elaborate. This idea didn't exactly work out either because the hubby didn't like all my ideas for his ring.

When we finally agreed to go our separate ways on our own design, I had a difficult time finding something I liked. With my tastes and preference for being "unique", none of the designs I came across in the jewellery shops in Malaysia impressed me. I wanted something like this:
Although something like this would have been nice too:

Since I couldn't find anything, I finally settled on a ring from a jewellery shop in Hong Kong that looked like this:

The hubby was the easy one. He wanted a plain and simple gold band like the one in The Lord of the Rings.
I, of course, protested because I thought it was so plain and boring. In the end, we found him a plain tricolour band to pick up on my tricolour braided ring. It sort of looked like the ring below but slightly different.

As they say you always discover the things after you no longer need them. Well, I discovered an online wedding band site that sells rings called Wedding Band Rings. They have some really cool designs.

After pregnancy, they say that your fingers don't return to their original size. When I first complained to the hub that I couldn't wear my ring, he said he would get me a new one. Well, I can still wear my ring, albeit it's a bit tight, I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens after our second child. Perhaps if I can no longer fit into my original wedding band we can come back to this site.

Selecting a Wedding Present

2007-05-27T19:25:00.000+08:00

About a week back, the hubby and I were looking for a wedding present for my brother and his wife. We thought a nice dinner cutlery set would be a very practical and useful gift. Unfortunately, dinner cutlery sets come with a set of butter knives and that would probably go down poorly with the bride and her family who are traditional to the core.

Tips for the uninitiated:

If you are shopping for a wedding present for a Chinese couple - especially a traditional one, or one with traditional parents - anything with knives are out of the question. There is an age old belief that the knife bodes ill for the couple because it represents the severing of the relationship. Whether it infers a future divorce or just a difficult relationship, I am not certain. Whatever the case, just stay away from the knives.

What Element are You?

2007-05-23T03:22:00.000+08:00

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world. And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly. Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life. You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful. You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person. With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!

What's Your Element?