Planning An Outdoor Event

Are You in need of a breath of Fresh Air, the tantalizing smells of fresh green oasis, The Whislting of the wind... An outdoor event is all you need. 

Outdoor events can be absolutely amazing , but the process can be pretty stressful! There are so many things to think and worry about, from the weather to the wildlife to the bathroom situation, it’s a lot to take on! If you’re thinking of putting together one, here are ways to keep things running smoothly.

 Rules + Permits: Find out what kind of rules and permits of the space you are planning to have the event, to know what you may be subjected to before you make a booking

Guests Comfort: Make your guests’ comfort top priority by making sure your venue is well-equipped with things like fans, tents,outdoor air coolers, good convenience area. Make a plan to buy or rent the things your venue doesn’t offer as early as possible.

Prepare for Weather: In our region, it’s advisable to not have an outdoor event during the rainy season, whether or not the weather forecast says it’ll be a sunny day. Nonetheless, you can inform your guests to dress to fit the weather, just in case. Lol!

Photography: Talk to your photographer about lighting and sunlight direction so you can plan the seating arrangements accordingly. You don’t want to realize the morning of the event that you’re going to be hidden in shadows or squinting into the sun in your photos.

Decor: If wind is a possibility (and it is in most places), double check that all your decor items can withstand a very strong breeze, especially breakable items.

When having a garden or a sand-filled space, you should make use of specific kind of tables and chairs to avoid sinking of the chairs and toppling of the tables.

For aesthetics, make use of the natural elements already present in your venue to beautify your space from the trees, to the pool and plants around you.

Lighting: If you want to light up your space, moroccan lamps and paper lanterns are best suitable for lighting up your space.

Hire an Expert: If you don’t consider yourself an event expert (and you don’t want to become one), find an outdoor venue that does events regularly. A venue that does dozens of events every year will either have the details covered (i.e. they supply the chairs and the tent) and have advice on best practices for the day.

All Ages: Keep your very old and very young guests in mind as you plan. For example, if there will be a lot of walking from the parking lot to the event space, let them know ahead of time or get ushers to aid with directions.

Souvenirs: You can have baskets with things like, fans, or pashminas placed at the entrance area to help guests deal with the elements on-site.

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Weddings: Table Settings

Wedding table decorations can vary so much. Some couples choose to go with the view that “less is more”, while others opt for the “more is – well more”!  The important thing is that you stay true to yourselves and choose your to decorate your wedding tables your way.

 Table Centrepiece The main focal point will without doubt be your table centrepiece. These can be as simple as a pretty candelabra, up to a beautiful bountiful floral table centrepiece.
 Your wedding table centrepiece will be governed by a few factors including:
 - Your budget
- Your wedding venue function room
- Your wedding theme
- The time of year you are getting married.

If you want to make more of an impact in the evening then add some lighting to your wedding table centrepiece. This can be done as easily as adding a floralyte which is a little light that can be inserted into your table centrepiece.

   Table stationery
 There are some beautiful options for table stationery which can be created specifically for you or you can buy off the shelf. Whether you plan to make it yourself or have a professional create it for you there is so much to choose from. Place cards can be used to decorate your guests’ wine glasses or your wedding favour box tags can double up as a place card. They can be printed in a design, or decorated by hand with embellishments such as butterflies, crystal buckles or even sweets!
 Your table name card could be a simple and elegant black number on a white card, or you could really go to town and use postcards or have them created for you by your stationer to tie into the rest of your wedding stationery.

Wedding favours come in all shapes and sizes these days, organza bags are still possible and these can be co-ordinated with your wedding chair cover sashes if you are having them. Or you could go for a pretty wedding favour box decorated with ribbon, tags, and other embellishments.

 Napkins also seem to come in many different shapes and sizes these days! Venues often give clients a choice of shape and colour so be sure to ask if they don’t mention it. Or, if your budget allows, you could use napkin rings for your napkins. These could be hired in or made for you using beads and crystals. Or, you could use your imagination and use something like sweetie bracelets or necklaces which are not only a great option for the purse string but also for the appetite!

 Crystals, Petals & more Table crystals or gems are still highly popular and they now come in every colour under the rainbow. Alternatively you can stick with the clear variety and if you really want to push the boat out check out the swarovski table crystals! These are so pretty and sparkly it is worth it if you can stretch to it. Rose petals are another popular option and again these can be colour co-ordinated with the rest of your theme. If you are having a vintage themed wedding, why not decorate your table with tiny vintage style buttons? I’ve seen it done and trust me – it works!

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Wedding Colours

How to Choose Your Wedding Colours‎ -

Your colour scheme for the wedding has the power to set the vibe – so choose wisely. Focusing on the colour theme early on is important to ensure that everything else obtained for the wedding is well coordinated and suited to the wedding as a whole. The colours are completely up to you but you will need to take into account where you're getting married, and the formality or informality of your ceremony and reception.

The complexity or simplicity of colour schemes are another part of your decision and these will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and patience! Here are the top determining factors to selecting your hues.

‎

Use your favorite shade. You’ve been in love with pale lavender ‎since the first grade, so this is a good place to begin – with what you love. You can tastefully incorporate any colour into your wedding decorations by selecting the right hue, and combining it with the right accents.

• Which colours are you drawn to most? Is there one particular colour or several? If there are several colours, are they compatible?
• Check your wardrobe ‎. Leaving aside the standard office black, what are the other colours that emerge the most? These colours are a good indicator of your general colour preferences.

Make a color inspiration.‎ Get a piece of thick card and place images you like from magazines on the board, images that highlight the colours you're keen on. You can also use colour paint harts to help you match the hues and to get subtle shade variations.

‎Consider the setting. Look at the colours used in your venue’s carpeting, drapery and decorations. If the site has strong colours, you’ll need to select a colour scheme that complements. If you already have your heart set on a certain colour, you may need to select a more neutrally decorated site but this needs to be sorted out very early on or you may miss out on a good location! However, keep an open mind about colours‎ until you've chosen the venue, because the setting may well suggest the color scheme for you.‎

Older buildings can have very rich, over-patterned curtains and carpets.‎ Check these with care because they can clash badly with your colour scheme.‎

If the colours of the venue are very strong and you have your heart set on that venue, consider predominantly white and/or cream for the colour scheme as this will be both effective and matching. This will allow you to add a touch here and there of a favorite colour without overdoing it, but these splashes of colour will tone down any spartan feel of the white theme.
For outdoor weddings, look for fresh and light colors that suggest the brilliance of outdoors.‎                             ‎                    

‎Be prepared to have two different/distinct colour themes if your church or wedding building and reception venue are very different in tone. In general, it is probable that you will have more leeway to use colours with the reception than where the wedding ceremony ‎tself is held. However, you can still carry the colour theme in clothing and flowers from the place of marriage to the reception, even if you can't decorate the church, ‎hall‎, or register office as much as you'd like.‎

Enlist your favorite bloom. If sunflower ‎are your thing, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t make it into your décor scheme. Incorporate your predominant flower colour – either making it the dominant shade or using it as an accent – and it will all come together.‎

Consult the season. Decorating is simple when Mother Nature is your guide, so let the natural colours of the season be your inspiration. ‎Just make sure that the wedding colours you choose complement the blooms and foliage that are naturally available during that time of year.‎

Be wary of combinations that usually go with other celebrations, unless it's the right time of year. ‎

Pastels are best for warmer weather; otherwise they can appear too cold.When thinking about seasonal colours, think of variations of shades and not just the commonly recognisable colours.               ‎

Remember the bridesmaid' dresses‎. If you want your bridesmaids decked "head to toe" in your colour, you’ll need to make sure it’s an appealing and flattering shade to wear. You may need to accept variations in the shades to keep each bridesmaid happy, especially if it's a colour that one or more of them are not happy to wear.                                    ‎

Get the groom and best man involved. The cummerbunds,waistcoat ‎, and tie can all be in the colour theme of the wedding. And don't forget the buttonhole.

‎‎

Incorporate colour with care. It is common to have a color palette with up to five main colours for many weddings now but you do need to be careful that the colours don't overwhelm the wedding‎ or create a sense of disjointed themes. Also, exact colour matches on everything is overwhelming; instead, go for shade variations on the original colours. Rely on small touches here and there for getting across the wedding colour scheme rather than huge bold displays of it, such as the font color on invitations, and little ribbon touches here and there.

• Use the colours r theme on the invitations,‎ the place cards, the ribbons around flower arrangements, the flowers, in the flower girl's hair or waist sash, and on the wedding cake.

If the colour of flowers you really wanted are not in season, rely on white flowers and use the ribbon ‎and other decorative elements in the colour of choice instead. This will still indicate the colour theme without losing the beauty of the floral arrangements.                   ‎‎

Take care with colour on the wedding cake‎.‎ Aim for simplicity of colour with the wedding cake, as brightly coloured red food is not very appealing. Use a good cake maker who is familiar with colour matching, and also consider adding flowers to the cake to reflect the colours element.‎

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African Prints for Men – How To Wear Them

African Prints For Men

If there is one pattern that has taken to the streets right now. It has to be African fever. Whether it’s the whole suit or a blazer, every man is going for 

African prints. The question is does everyone know how to wear it? If so can anyone wear it? Yes of course! It’s how you team it together that will define you. What you need to decide is when you choose the fabric, there is no holding back. Good style inspirations and influential Africans prints are certainly going to dominant trends for this year. Wearing African fashion is commendable and may just get you invited to the next fashion show in your city.

The Blazer

In putting together an outfit, select the prints that both match and reflect you. It works very well if you team it with trousers that are plain. Make sure the colour print suits your skin tone. If you get it wrong it can make you look very ill.

The Trousers

Keep the top simple choose one colour that is in the African fabric so it compliments your overall outfit. With your shoes again choose one colour.

The Suits

Not for the fainted hearted. If you want a crowd then wear the whole thing. Keep your accessories simple including your shoes. When wearing African fashion, walk with your head held high and your back straight to convey your self-respect and respect for others.

The Shoes

If all the above is a tad too much. Then just opt for  some African printed shoes. Keep your outfit simple in colour and let your footwear do the talking.

if you want to clash it all together then do it.

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WEDDING GIFTS

Suffice it to say that we are all guilty of waiting till the wedding morning before running ‘helter skelter’ for the a suitable wedding gift, which usually turns out to be dinner ware or glassware or any of those boring cliché wedding gifts.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on presents, the key word here is – Planning. Rather than wait till 4 hours to the wedding, set a reminder on your phone to shop the weekend before, that way you have all the time to thoughtfully pick out the perfect gift. 

To narrow your options, some couples have a gift registry they send around so people have an idea of what they actually ‘need’. The problem with this is that most couples tend to play it safe with the gift registry so as not to be perceived as being too demanding.  If you choose to go with the gift register you will always find something that your pocket can stomach, otherwise, consider making something. The couple will appreciate the time and effort you put into your wedding gift. It may be a frame of: an old picture of them together, a story of their journey together, or their wedding invitation. This is guaranteed to make them think fondly of you forever. 

It’s ok if you don’t have the time to make something, play it safe, go for kitchen gadgets, get a fun ceramic food menu frame they can hang on their kitchen wall, colourful place mats (AKA table mats), knife sets, girly chopping boards, pop up toasters (no, not the regular popular sandwich maker), casserole dishes, blenders or a food processor, and finally non-stick cookware.

 I know the men are grumbling now, because they obviously would suck at picking out fabulous kitchen stuff, so here: walk into a store and buy them what you would like to see in your home. It could be a duvet cover and throw pillows, diffusers, bath sets, fancy salt and pepper containers, foot mats, flower vases, framed art, you can even make them both matching bath robes! 

ANYTHING. My friend got a banana hanger as a wedding gift. Who would have thought there was a special hanger you could use to hang your bananas?! Go wild.

 Of course there is always the option of electronics, traditional yet very relevant. If you’ve got a lot of cash, go with this option. Have you been to the couple’s home? Do they have a plasma screen TV? Buy them a bigger one. It’s 2015, the ‘Mrs’ shouldn’t be manually washing clothes, buy them a washing machine, everybody deserves a double door refrigerator, get them one, throw in a microwave oven or even a yam pounder while you’re at it.

 Some of us though, would always strive to do ‘the very unexpected’. You don’t need to buy them a jet or a car to really surprise them, just make a long grocery list and go shopping (be sure you’re close enough friends to be invited to the wedding after-party so you can stock their fridge and store!) or you can make them a custom hamper, could be an only champagne hamper, perfume hamper, jewelry hamper or even a luxury hamper where you can throw all in you want. It’s as simple as walking into any gift store with a list of what you want in the hamper and have them deliver it to you on the said date. Alternatively, buy them some shoes!

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CHINO PANTS - MUST HAVE ITEM IN MEN'S WARDROBE

Chinos
Every man has to own a couple of chino pants in his
closet. These pants are semi casual and can be worn
in diverse numbers of places. They are comfortable
to wear and can be worn halong many kinds of shoes
like boots, loafers, converse or formal shoes. The
thing about chino pants is that it gives you many
options to wear your pants with. The number of
pockets are enough and so it is safe to carry a
number of items and gadgets. Chino pants are cool to
rock on the weekends when you are out to play golf
with your buddies or are just in chilling mode. Many
celebrities wear chino pants on the streets and
events.

The Advice
So what can you choose to wear your chino pants
with? Well the answer is whatever you like. Chino
pants go along with almost everything that is in your
closet.
1. You can choose to wear chino pants with T-shirts,
shirts, sweaters, or jackets. It all depends on you and
the weather. All you have to do is to match the colors
and patterns of your attire.
2. When buying chino pants you should consider
buying the ones which can accommodate most of
your tops. It is always good to have a look which
people will know you with and chino pants are quite
good to give you this identity.
3. The best colors to purchase are the shades of
brown, dark colors or you can go bright. Bright colors
like blue, pink, and orange are accepted but be very
careful not to look like a clown. So consider pairing
the bright chinos with less brighter sweaters, blazers
or trench coats. A hat can complete the whole look.
4. When wearing them with your shirts you can
decide to tuck in or leave it free. When tucking in, it is
good to match the belt with your shoes.
5. Wear chino with your polo or casual fitting
shirt.When wearing it with t-shirts, consider your body
shape. Everybody likes a man who dresses well.
Chino pants allow you to play around with
accessories which you cannot wear when you are in
an office wear. They allow you to wear many kind of
bungles and neck pieces that make the look
complete. However you can choose to go simple by
not wearing accessories at all.

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HOW TO PICK OUT SHOES TO GO WITH THE WEDDING DRESS

Once upon a time, wedding shoes came in only two options: traditional white silk or satin. However, times are changing and women are stepping outside of the aisle for their wedding fashion inspiration. Though many women may opt for a more traditional look, know that wedding shoes now come in an exciting assortment of styles.

Figure out your price range. Price is often times the biggest factor in purchasing wedding shoes.

Purchase your dress first. Shoes are accessories that have the ability to enhance the look of your dress. A dress with certain fabrics or embellishments may affect your choice of shoes.

Calculate the height of your dress. When handling alterations, a tailor may ask you to bring your shoes when considering the hem of your dress.

Study your wedding dress style. If you're having a formal wedding, you may opt for a formal wedding dress which could result in traditional shoes. If you're having a beach wedding, rhinestone white flip-flops may be more acceptable.
Consider the material of your dress. Some shades clash. If this is the case, look into dying your shoes.

Factor your wedding environment. Satin can easily stain in grass during an outdoor spring wedding. Dress sandals may be too scant for a winter wedding.
Get comfortable shoes. Just because you've found the most beautiful four-inch heel wedding shoes, doesn't mean that they're perfect for you. Weigh your pros and cons when weighing style against comfort.

Prevent shoe slippage. Sandpaper your shoes down or cut a piece of sandpaper and superglue it to the bottom of the shoe. A little preparation can help prevent the embarrassing event of slipping down the aisle. You may also want to contact a shoe repair store to apply the alterations.

Break your shoes in before wedding. Often times, shoes aren't "wedding aisle" ready. Break your shoes in to ensure optimal comfort on your wedding day.
Keep an open mind about where to shop. Visit wedding boutiques, department stores, online shops, or even vintage stores. If you do choose to shop online, make sure to shop ahead of time in case you need to make returns due to poor fit.

Credits: Our wedding story.

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WHAT KIND OF WEDDING RECEPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Pros & Cons.
When envisioning your wedding reception, do you see the beauty of early morning light dancing through the trees or an all night, all-out party? There are so many different types of wedding receptions, there's going to be one right for your style, AND your budget.


Breakfast or Brunch Reception

If you're having a sunrise wedding, or just envision getting married bright and early in the morning, then you'll want to have a breakfast or brunch reception. Traditionally, menus include breakfast classics like quiche, frittata, and eggs benedict. It's great to have stations where guests can get food like omelets, and French toast made to order. For a touch of luxury, consider adding smoked salmon, caviar, or a carving station with ham, turkey or roast beef. Spice things up with Bloody Mary's, Bellinis, and Mimosas. And don't forget the coffee!

Pros: It's inexpensive; people will drink considerably less alcohol, and the types of food served are typically cheaper as well. If you want to get a jump-start on your honeymoon, a brunch reception perfectly allows you to leave the same day.

Cons: Consider your guests, especially those who live two hours away. They'll have to get up very early to make it to your wedding. Also, you won't have as long to get ready in the morning.

A New Twist: A cocktail-style brunch. Have your caterer reinvent breakfast classics into hors d'oeuvres such as mini-eggs benedict, bite sized French toast, and scrambled egg bites topped with caviar. Keep those Mimosas and Bellini's flowing!


A Lunch Reception

If you want a morning wedding, but need a little bit more time to get ready than a breakfast reception would allow, consider a lunch reception.

Pros: It allows you to serve some of the same favorite dishes that you would at a dinner reception, for a cheaper price. You still may be able to leave for your honeymoon the same day.

Cons: If you don't leave for your honeymoon that same day, you'll have to figure out what else to do with the rest of your wedding day! Your reception might also be more staid than it would be later in the evening.

A New Twist: A picnic reception! Have your caterer (or a favorite restaurant) package individual meals in disposable cardboard picnic boxes. Spread out big pieces of colorful cloth and offer pitchers of basil lemonade and raspberry iced tea. Be sure to have some tables and chairs available for those who prefer not to sit on the ground.


Afternoon Tea

If you've ever been to an old-fashioned high tea, you know that it's an indulgent fun time. It's not every day that we get to gobble tea sandwiches and cute desserts in the middle of the afternoon. Serve a variety of hot teas, champagne, finger sandwiches, tartlets, petit fours, éclairs, and of course, wedding cake. Be sure to plan your reception for the middle of the afternoon so that guests aren't expecting a full meal.

Pros: Again, it's cheaper than having a dinner reception. It's also a little different, and it's perfect for adding hand-crafted and vintage touches.

Cons: Afternoon tea is a little girly, and so your male guests may not feel entirely comfortable.

A New Twist: Be a bit cheeky, and serve Long Island Iced Teas (a potent cocktail) along with the other tea offerings.

Champagne and Cake Reception

This is probably the least expensive type of reception, and it's what was once the norm for most weddings. Gather everyone after the ceremony for a bit of cake and a few toasts. But don't ask your guests to get in their cars again. Have your reception in the garden of your ceremony venue, or even right in the same room. I also suggest that you put on your invitation "champagne and cake to follow" so that guests will know there isn't a meal.

Pros: Did I mention already that it's cheap? If you're not a fan of big crowds or lots of mingling, a champagne and cake reception is often short and sweet.

Cons: Some guests might expect more. You might find that it's over far too fast for your liking! And you'll have to skip out on some of the traditional aspects of a wedding reception.


Cocktail Wedding Reception

Cocktail receptions can be elegant and stylish, and allow your guests to really mingle and meet each other. They tend to be a bit more relaxed than a sit-down meal, and often feel like a great party.

Pros: If your venue is small, cocktail receptions allow you to have more people. They're typically shorter than a sit-down meal, and they allow you to really circulate and enjoy the party.

Cons: While you might anticipate that a cocktail reception would be cheaper, your guests will likely drink more than at a dinner reception. Since most people won't be seated, some guests will have trouble seeing events like the first dance.


Dinner Wedding Reception

The most classic and formal type of wedding reception, a sit-down or buffet dinner allows you time to really celebrate your wedding, treat your guests, and still have everyone up on the dance floor afterwards. You'll start with a cocktail hour, then proceed into an adjoining room for dinner, followed by dancing, cake cutting, bouquet tossing and more.

Pros: Your guests will feel like you really went all out, and feel special. You won't feel rushed or hurried.

Cons: Typically, this is the most expensive type of wedding reception. You might also feel a little sad that your wedding night in the hotel room is starting so late! (wink).

A New Twist: After an hour or two of dancing, your guests might have worked up an appetite again. Serve a "surprise" treat at midnight of packages of donuts, an early breakfast, or even fast food.

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THE WEDDING ADVICE

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff

A wedding is full of thousands of details and there are bound to be a few snafus along the way. Keep in mind the reason you are doing all of this- it's not to have the perfect cake baker, who is now too overbooked to make your cake. It’s to celebrate your love together, which you could do in a mud puddle, if you had to.


2. Take time to savor your wedding

So many couples report that their wedding was a whirlwind that they barely remember. Consider building in time for reflection- whether it’s a scheduled time between ceremony and reception where the two of you will enjoy a glass of champagne, or the moment when you change into your getaway clothes. Talk to each other during the reception about what you are enjoying and who you've talked to. That evening, take a few moments to write down what you remembered about the day.


3. Infuse your personality

Don't have a cookie-cutter wedding. Think about your hobbies, cherished memories, and personalities. If you love to travel, consider naming tables after places you've visited together. If you are a fishing aficionado, consider fishbowls with live fish in them as centerpieces. Your wedding will be a thousand times more special and memorable.


4. Don't always follow tradition

Don’t spend money on things just because you think they're traditional. If you don’t really want it, don’t do it. A great example of this is the custom of using both an inner and outer envelope for a wedding invitation. Many couples these days are forgoing this option in favor of more modern and cost-efficient invites.


5. Have a wedding you can afford

Rather than accruing massive wedding debt, pay for it as you go along. The number one thing couples fight about, according to psychologists and couples therapists, is money. You don't want to start off married life with a monkey on your back. A big formal wedding is nice for those who can afford it, but you don't need to "keep up with the Joneses" at the expense of your future happiness.

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THE FIRST 10 STEPSFOR WEDDING PLANNING

Congratulations! You're about to embark on two amazing adventures - the first, of course, being your life as a wedded couple and the second being the exciting, yet often overwhelming process of planning a wedding. A wedding will probably be the biggest and most involved party or ritual either of you have ever put together. Before you get overwhelmed, take a deep breath, then do these ten things.


1. Enjoy Being Engaged

Kiss each other a thousand times. Jump up and down saying, "We're engaged!" Stare at the engagement ring. Take the time to write down in detail how you got engaged. (We'd love for you to share your marriage proposal story with us!) Contemplate the wonderful things ahead of you. Take pictures of yourselves with the engagement ring. Kiss each other a thousand more times.


2. Tell Your Parents

You should tell your parents of your impending nuptials before anyone else. (Unless of course, you are estranged.) Both of you should be present and ideally you will tell them in person - they'll have a chance to see your happiness up close, look at the ring, and start talking about the wedding. Traditionally the bride's parents know before the groom's do, but any order is really fine. (If you're a traditional couple, the groom may already have asked her parents for her hand in marriage.) Then share the news with a few close friends - the ones who are likely candidates for maid/matron of honor and best man, or definite attendants in some capacity.


3. Purchase a Journal If You Don't Already Have One

This will be a time of ten thousand moments you won't want to forget, as well as some frustrating times that you'll need to vent about, and not necessarily to your partner. The journal you keep while planning your wedding will not only help you through this time, but it will be something you cherish for the rest of your life. If you're internet savvy kinds of folks, you may also consider doing this journaling online at a site such as Livejournal, tumblr or your own blog.


4. Announce Your Engagement

Tell everyone the good news! There are many ways of doing this, and no way is more correct or better than another. Find out more about engagement announcement etiquette and samples of engagement announcements

Consider:
Announcing your engagement in print publications
Mailing announcements to your family and friends
Creating a wedding website


5. Set the Date

One of the most important decisions you will make as you plan your wedding. Not only will it be the first question everyone will ask you, but you'd be surprised how difficult it will be to make any progress on planning your wedding without knowing the date.


6. Set the Tone of Your Event

This is the time to decide if you're having a formal wedding, a casual affair, or a theme wedding. It's also the time to decide on having a religious or secular ceremony. In short, you need to decide what you want your wedding to feel like. A good way to begin is to sit down with your partner and do some free writing about your ideal wedding. Look at the adjectives that each of you write and use them as a starting point.


7. Set the Budget

Start off by using a printable wedding budget worksheet. Look at your finances and figure out how much you already have in savings, and how much you can save each month. Talk to each of your parents and ask them if they'd like to contribute to your wedding, and either how much they'd like to give you, or what specific things they'd like to pay for.

Lastly, decide how much you feel comfortable going into debt. I strongly advise couples to avoid debt as much as possible. Since married couples fight about money more than anything else, why start marriage with debt on your backs? At this time you may consider opening a new credit card just for the wedding that will earn you airline miles, cash back, or other incentives. It's a good way for you to keep track of wedding expenses, and can help you pay for your honeymoon. Just try to pay it off in full each month.


8. Choose Your Attendants

As your attendants do a lot more than just stand next to you on the day of the wedding, now is the time to get them involved. While some couples opt not to have any attendants at all, especially if they're having a casual event, most choose between 2 and 12 members of the bridal party. Look over these lists of responsibilities for bridesmaids and groomsmen before you make your final choices. If they live nearby, its nice to ask someone in person, but a phone call is fine for those who live far away. You may also want to read How many bridesmaids and groomsmen should you have? or How many bridesmaids and groomsmen is too many?


9. Start Looking for Venues for Ceremony and Reception

Many venues are booked a year in advance, so the further in advance you start looking, the more likely you are to get the time, date, and cost that you've planned for.


10. Get Support

The successful bride and groom do not plan their wedding alone - they get help! This may be from professionals, respected publications, or trusted friends who've planned their own weddings.

- Consider hiring a wedding planner or consultant. Especially if you are a busy person, or just feel a little lost, a professional can be invaluable in putting together your ideal day, and can often save you money.

- Use online checklists - they're free, and especially helpful if you're planning with your mother or future spouse in another state. The most important of these forms is the overall wedding checklist which will help you stay on top of all of your important to-do's.

- If you're like most couples, you'll come home from the bookstore with a few thousand pounds of wedding magazines - why not throw in a wedding planning book as well? While the internet offers many useful tools, a book is portable when you visit vendors and can accommodate the many brochures, swatches and other items you'll be collecting. If you are budget conscious, purchase a three ring binder, and build your own planner with printouts from the internet.


Now that you've made all these decisions, you have a solid foundation for your wedding! It's now time for the fun stuff - dresses, tuxes, flowers, music, favors and more! Remember to use a checklist to help yourself stay organized and on top of it all.

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