Archive for 2010

Seeking Professional Help for Planning Your Wedding?

Dec

As daunting as it may seem, wedding planning can be a pleasant task if you have the support of a professional. You can find yourself a company, which already has the experience and knowledge to help you plan a memorable wedding at a reasonable price. There are some companies that have the proper experience and will be able to leverage their knowledge with previous customers to provide you with the wedding of your dreams.

Professional wedding planners can prepare a range of available wedding packages for brides-to-be. You can choose from any of these, which you deem the best. Brides-to-be can get complete flexibility and a personalized service with a full planning service to cover all of the wedding aspects. Several websites provide brides and grooms with various ideas and tools that they will need to plan a wedding. These include wedding carbon footprint calculator, budget calculator, reception worksheet, guest list, notebook, wedding website, etc. Managing the wedding budget is the most important issue consider when planning a wedding. Brides-to-be can contact a professional planner to find the best wedding ideas and get their expert advice on a budget plan for any size wedding.

The most essential part, while planning a wedding, is to realize how to make your wedding day the most memorable day of your life. A wedding would definitely be dull without the added accessories and pernonal touches. You can have a memorable wedding with the help of professional wedding planners. A bit of professional help regarding accessories and other details would really transform the whole wedding experience.

A common accessory is a guest book, usually found on a table along with a photograph of the couple about to get married. Some couples choose a more creative route. They have a large matte on which the guests can sign their names and write little messages of encouragement. This seems more useful than a guest book; it is something that can be displayed in the home without the “cheezy” factor of keeping your guest book out in the open. It is also more interesting to view than flipping through a book of meaningless signatures.

Wedding cakes are an important tradition of a wedding reception. Cutting the cake together, hand in hand, is a symbol of unity and togetherness. A few websites provide a range of customized cakes, which can preferably differ in areas such as recipe, aesthetics, flavor, taste, number of tiers, color of icing and more.

A wedding website would enable you, your friends and family to recollect wedding memories whenever they want. A fully automated wedding website includes details such as the wedding date, bridal party attendants, ceremony and reception locations, visitor information, online gift registry links, etc. After the wedding, you don’t have to go through the toil of making multiple copies of the wedding pictures; you can simply upload them in the photo album on your website.

To get wonderful wedding ideas on a limited budget for your wedding, contact a professional planner who can provide you with a wedding planning checklist to manage your total wedding budget.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing ideas for wedding planners to make your wedding day the most memorable one in your life.

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Top 7 Wedding Unity Candle Songs

Dec

Wedding unity candle songs are a great way to highlight the process of lighting unity candles during a wedding ceremony. The unity candle ceremony typically takes place after wedding vows are read. The unity candle ceremony can include just the bride and groom only or the addition of parents of each the bride and groom. If parents are included in the unity candle process, it would signify the coming together of both families through matrimony.

WeddingMuseum.com created a list of our Top 52 Wedding Unity Candle Songs. From that list we selected our Top 7 Wedding Unity Candle Songs.

7. You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone. Originally released in 1977. A great love song to show how much another lights up their world. We placed this at number 7 as it fit the theme of light. However, this song may also be seen as corny because of the same theme. It is one of our favorites but use your own judgment.

6. Circle Of Life – Elton John. Originally released in 2002. This song became popular from the movie the Lion King. However, the words are very fitting to the unity candle ceremony when the bride and groom’s family members are included.

5. Inseperable – Natalie Cole. Originally released in 1975. With lyrics such as “We are just, Inseparable, that’s how it is”, this is a classic R&B love song. Natalie has a soulful voice to truly make this a ceremony with lots of feeling and emotion.

4. True Companion – Marc Cohn. Originally released in 1991. Just as the previous song, Marc has one of those voices that really stands out and makes you feel the song lyrics. We feel this is a great unity candle song as a companion relationship is like a unity of two people. With lyrics like “My arms are reaching out, out across this canyon, I’m asking you to be my true companion,” a classic rock love song.

3. I Could Never Love You Enough – Brian McComas. Originally released in 2003. Our only country love song on our list. This is not a song known by the masses, but it should be. Just by the song title, you get an idea of the theme of this song.

2. Wedding Song (There Is Love) – Peter, Paul & Mary / Noel Paul Stookey. Originally released in 1971. This song has been around the longest on our list. However, this is a classic love song that could be considered a folk style music song. However, we love acoustical songs that that show true love. In addition, the song is themed for a wedding.

1. One Hand, One Heart – West Side Story Cast. The initial release date of the play was October 18, 1961. This song is a fantastic vocal or as an instrumental song for the unity candle ceremony. The main chorus is as follows: “Make of our hands one hand, make of our hearts one heart, make of our vows one last vow, only death will part us now.”

About the Author

Matt Campbell is the owner and webmaster of WeddingMuseum.com, an online wedding planning resource. WeddingMuseum.com features free wedding websites, wedding planning ideas and tools, local vendor listings, wedding song lists and wedding store.

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WeddingMuseum.com teams with Clearsky, NAME and AFWPI

Dec

WeddingMuseum.com has been busy in the months of November and December by connecting with other businesses. Clearsky Climate Solutions, based in Missoula, Mt, offers carbon offsets as a powerful way for individuals and businesses to act immediately to counter global climate change. WeddingMuseum.com has offset all of our carbon offsets for the year of 2011. Our offsets were selected with the Montana Rangeland Carbon Sequestration Project Pool. Ranchers in this project pool are committed to responsible grazing practices that help the soil sequester carbon, maintain native grassland species, and provide habitat for native wildlife.

In November 2010, WeddingMuseum.com became a member of the AFWPI, Association for Wedding Professionals International. The AFWPI members have agreed to a set code of ethics assuring greater confidence in shopping with them. The AFWPI is an international organization dedicated to providing a source of information and referrals – for those planning weddings and wedding business owners.

in December 2010, WeddingMuseum.com finalized our corporate sponsorship of N.A.M.E., National Association of Mobile Entertainers. Matt, owner of WeddingMuseum.com, was a member of NAME when he was a mobile DJ in Montana. Matt knows the importance of NAME and how it promotes professionalism in the wedding DJ industry.

WeddingMuseum.com is seeking to align itself with other prominent business throughout the USA. We know the above associations and businesses will help us move forward in meeting our goal of being and promoting professional wedding businesses.

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Your Pet And The Wedding

Dec

We love our pets! They’re like family. And on our wedding day, we want nothing else than to incorporate them into what is sure to be the most memorable day of our lives. So here are a few things to keep in mind before deciding if having your pet present at your wedding is a good choice for everyone.

Plan Ahead

The first thing you should do, when planning to include your pet in your wedding, is to make sure your pet will be welcomed on the premise of your different venues — both at the ceremony and the reception. If your pet is not allowed anywhere, you could still have some pictures taken with your pet on the front steps of the church or synagogue; or relocate to a near by park or outdoor area for a quick photo session with your pet and the wedding party.

Additionally, you’ll need to figure out how you want to incorporate your pet into your wedding day. For example, it could be as a ring bearer, or a flower girl, or simply a guest of honor. The type of pet you have would probably determine their role best.

You also need to make sure your pet as the right personality or temperament to be included in the wedding. Take into consideration if your pet exhibits any aggressive, unruly, antisocial, or nervous behavior on a regular basis — they should definitely be left at home to prevent any disastrous situation.

Even if your pet is always well-behaved and social, you should still inform your guests that you are thinking about incorporating your pet in your wedding festivities ahead of time. Keep in mind that some guests could be allergic or even fearful of pets. It’s a good idea to find out in advance and make your decision accordingly.

If you would like your pet to perform a special trick on your wedding day, start teaching the trick at least a couple of months in advance. You don’t want to wait at the last minute and be all stressed out about it. It’s going to put too much pressure on you and your poor pet.

As for the wedding attire, they are many options available for your pet — from ring pillows to tuxedos to flower collars. To make sure your pet is comfortable with its wedding attire on the big day, you could make your pet practice wearing it a couple of times before the wedding. It will give your pet a chance to get used to it.

On Your Wedding Day

Arrange for a friend or a pet sitter to be in charge of your beloved pet for the duration of the wedding. Your pet should never be left alone or without any supervision, and that includes both at the ceremony and the reception.

You should also prepare a small bag with all the essentials your pet might need: food, water, bowls, toys, leash, collar, wedding attire, pee pads, empty bags, paper towels, etc. Don’t forget to give the bag to the person in charge of your pet for the day.

You also need to have a back-up plan for your pet in case the wedding becomes a little too much. A good idea would be to find, ahead of time, an area on your venue’s premise where your pet can relax and have some quiet time with the pet sitter. Another option would be to arrange for the pet sitter (or friend) to take your pet back home after an hour or two of fun and excitement.

In the end, incorporating your pet in your wedding can be a fun way for them to share your special day, and create lasting memories you‘ll cherish forever.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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The Wedding Party: Each Member And Their Roles

Dec

You just started planning your fairy tale wedding and you would like nothing more than to include all your close family and friends on your special day, but you‘re not sure how. Here’s a quick overview of each member of the wedding party, their roles and some of their duties.

Maid of Honor (or Matron of Honor)

The maid of honor’s role is to assist the bride on her wedding day — to lend her support, be reassuring, alleviate some stress and to even be a shoulder to cry on. She’s usually the bride’s sister or her best friend. The maid of honor will usually host the bridal shower and organize the bachelorette party. She can also assist the bride during the wedding planning process by accompanying her to various appointments (dress, cake, venue, etc). She’s also in charge of coordinating all the bridesmaids on the day of the wedding — making sure everyone is on time.

Another one of her duty can be to help the bride get dressed for the wedding as well as helping the bride manage her train, veil and bouquet during the entire day. She will hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony. The maid of honor can act as a legal witness for the bride by signing the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. She can also make a toast to the happy couple at the reception — usually following the best man‘s toast.

Best Man

The best man is usually the groom’s brother or his best friend. His duties are similar to the maid of honor’s duties. He will lend his moral support to the groom during what is sure to be a nerve-wracking day, but he can also help out with some of the wedding planning tasks, such as organizing the bachelor party or decorating the newlyweds‘ car. He’s also in charge of coordinating all the groomsmen for the day.

During the ceremony, the best man can be in charge of carrying the rings for safekeeping in his pocket. The best man can also act as a legal witness for the groom by signing the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. At the reception, the best man usually is the first one to make a speech and toast the happy couple.

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids’ role is to assist the bride on her wedding day and in the months prior to the big day. The bridesmaids can help the bride, or the maid of honor, keep track of wedding gifts or RSVP responses. They can also help the maid of honor organize the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. They can help keep an eye out for the ring bearer and flower girl before the ceremony.

Groomsmen

Groomsmen are usually close friends or family members that hold a special place in the groom‘s life. On the wedding day, they will escort the bridesmaids down the aisle, and they can also act as ushers before the ceremony starts. They will also help the best man plan the bachelor party or decorate the newlyweds‘ car.

Flower Girl

The role of the flower girl is to walk down the aisle carrying a small basket full of petals and look cute as a button in the process. If your ceremony venue doesn’t let you drop fresh flower petals down the aisle, the flower girl could also carry a small bouquet or pomander down the aisle. Another idea would be for the flower girl to carry a flowered wand with ribbons.

Ring Bearer

The role of the ring bearer is to carry the rings down the aisle. Usually the rings are securely attached to a nicely decorated pillow. The ring bearer and the flower girl can also walk down the aisle together. If you’re not comfortable with having the real rings on the pillow, you can use fake rings for the ring bearer to carry, and give the real thing to the best man for safekeeping.

Ushers

The role of the ushers is to help seat your guests, answer general questions, hand out ceremony programs or wedding booklets, and help with the aisle runner. Ushers can be family members (brothers, cousins or brother-in-laws) or friends of the couple. They usually wear the same attire — tuxedos or suits — as the groomsmen

Pages

The role of the pages is to help the bride walk down the aisle by carrying her cathedral or royal length train for her. Pages are usually a little older than the ring bearers.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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Top 10 Wedding Anniversary Songs

Dec

Wedding anniversary songs are are great way to celebrate love at wedding receptions. We recommend starting by inviting all married wedding couples to the dance floor. Ask who the newest couple on the dance floor is by narrowing down by newest date. Then, remove couples 5 years at a time until you find the longest married couple in the room. Then, invite the bride and groom, newest married couple and the longest married couple to a special anniversary song dance.

WeddingMuseum.com created a list of our Top 64 Wedding Anniversary Songs. From that list we selected out Top 10 Wedding Anniversary Songs.

10. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole Originally released in 1975. A great r&b love song celebrating an eternal love for one another.

9. Still The One – Orleans Originally released in 1976. A classic rock love song proving how much you still mean to one another after all these years together.

8. Just The Two Of Us – Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers Originally released in 1980. A great jazz tune with Bill Withers singing “We can make it if we try.”

7. You Decorated My Life – Kenny Rogers A classic country song released in 1979. This song is a great love song story.

6. Anniversary – Tony Toni Tone Our first true “anniversary” song on the list released in 1993. This r&b song will be a mainstay on many couple’s lists celebrating an anniversary.

5. When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles A classic love song by the Beatles released in 1967. A love story about a man growing old with his lover.

4. 100 Years – Five For Fighting This rock song was originally released in 2003. A song about growing up until you are 100 years old and in the end “And I’m just dreaming counting the ways to where you are.”

3. You’re Still The One – Shania Twain Our highest raking country song was released in 1997. Another song stating how much you still mean to each other after all these years together.

2. Anniversary Waltz – Eddy Howard For generations that have been around for many years, they will appreciate this classic song from 1950. Be sure you know how to waltz before playing this one though.

1. Happy Anniversary – Kelly Morrison How can a song so new end up at the top of the list? This is a song sung by Kelly who has one of those raspy, memorable voices. This song is one of the feel good songs that just makes everyone want to dance!

About the Author

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Wedding Cakes: Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Dec

Here comes the tastiest part of planning your wedding, selecting the cake. Not only will you be able to select a fabulous and delicious cake, you’ll also be able to taste it. Yummy!

Cake Tasting

A great way to be prepared for your cake tasting appointment would be to familiarize yourself with some of the terms frequently used by bakers, such as buttercream, fondant, gum paste, ganache, royal icing, piping, etc. Having a basic knowledge of the lingo could be very useful and a big time-saver. We found a wedding cake glossary you can peruse at your leisure. http://bit.ly/hxXVpk

Cake tasting appointments usually last one hour. You will be able to sample different flavor cakes and icings. When you call to make an appointment, let the bakery know which flavors you have in mind, but also ask them to provide their best-selling flavor combinations. You could be pleasantly surprised by an unexpected flavor sample.

When selecting your wedding cake, try to choose a cake that reflects the theme you selected for your special day, or that carries your wedding’s color scheme — in both the decorative aspect and the flavor aspect.

Groom’s Cake

Groom’s cakes are typically a southern wedding tradition where the bride gifts her new husband with a chocolate-flavored cake. A popular trend lately has been for the cake to depict the groom’s favorite sports, interests or hobbies.

Additionally, the cake should be presented to the groom at the reception, and displayed next to the bride’s cake; or it can be given to the groom at the wedding rehearsal. The groom’s cake can also be cut, boxed, and offered as wedding favors to your guests.

Budget-Friendly Options

Remember that the more layers, flowers, and intricate details your cake has the more expensive it will be. To save some money, you could order a smaller size cake for the cake-cutting ceremony, and serve sheet cake slices to the rest of your guests in the same flavor as your wedding cake.

Keep in mind that some venues will charge a fee to cut and serve the cake to your guests. It’s called a cake-cutting fee, and it usually costs $1.50 or more per person. Some venues include the fee in their wedding package when you use their in-house baker, but they will charge you extra if you hire an outside bakery to create your wedding cake.

If cakes are not your thing, you could skip the traditional wedding cake altogether and explore other dessert ideas. For example, you could display cupcakes, petits fours, cannolis or even donuts on a beautiful tiered dessert stand. Other ideas would be to offer a pie buffet or a cookie and milk buffet.

Whatever your choice is; just indulge your sweet tooth and have fun with it!

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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Wedding Budget: The Basics

Nov

Let’s talk about your wedding budget. We’re pretty sure some of you already cringed at the mere mention of budgeting for your special day. We know it’s not the most delightful part of planning your wedding, but setting a clear-cut budget truly is the first step in your wedding planning adventure.

First, you will need to sit down with your fiance, and your respective parents, to figure out some wedding budget basics. For example, who will contribute to the wedding monetarily? It’s important to know if both sets of parents are contributing or not. You also have to know the magic number they each have in mind, and how much they can really afford. We know it can be a hard subject to bring up, but you want everyone to be comfortable with the amount they contribute to your special day. If you’re not sure about who pays for what — according to wedding etiquette — we found a great post about it. http://bit.ly/exUedj

Once a final number for the budget has been agreed upon, you will have to start thinking about what you envision for your wedding and decide which elements are the most important to you on your big day. If you’re looking forward to a big party with lots of champagne flowing, you would have to allocate more of your budget to the reception and try to save money elsewhere — forget about the fireworks, or the letterpress invitations. If you prioritize the things you really want, it makes it easier to cut costs in other areas. It can seem like a tiring balancing act, but it’s well worth all the trouble of not going over budget.

Now that you have an idea of how to spend your money, you will need to found a way to oversee all your wedding expenses. A great way to keep track of all your expenses is to use a free online wedding budget calculator. WeddingMuseum.com offers one in their wedding planning section. http://bit.ly/et99Ft

Another great trick is to hire a wedding planner to help you stay within your budget. They will track all your expenses for you, and they can also become the voice of reason when all your ideas and choices start to quickly add up. Also keep in mind that with their experience and invaluable insider information, they probably have found many ways over the years to save money that we, as the general public, would never have thought of, or be privy to.

In the end, budgeting for your wedding doesn’t have to be a painful experience. You just need to be prepared and realistic both in your expectations and in your budget. And remember that compromise is the key to marital bliss!

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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Bridal Lingerie: What are the options?

Nov

You spend week’s possibly months choosing the perfect wedding dress, you have the most beautiful flowers, venue and everything is falling perfectly into place for the big day. You have spent a fortune on getting yourself in shape with facials, manicures, pedicures, hair colors and cuts, make up and tanning. You may have however made the mistake like many brides and over looked your bridal lingerie. This is a vital part of your planning for the big day as all the other elements could be ruined if the undergarments are not correct.

Bridal lingerie can see like a bit of midfield but there a few essential elements you need to decide on they are bra, pants and hosiery. The most important thing about getting the bra right is that it fits. Many women have never been properly fitted for a bra and this is the perfect opportunity to get professionally fitted. Most stores offer a free service for bra fitting this really can prove invaluable. Once you have correctly identified your size you should consider the shape and material of your dress. If you have for example a backless dress than you will need to look for an adhesive bra or specially fitted low cut bra. You also need to be careful when choosing the color anything highly patterned will show through and should be avoided.

If you have lumps and bumps and you would like to be streamlined then some magic pants can be great option. Think Bridget Jones style pants that don’t look particularly attractive when worn alone but when worn under a fitted dress can work wonders. Some dresses allow for all types of pants such as a ball gown or a-line cut. If you have a dress like this then you can choose pretty much anything. There are some really beautiful pants available complete with bows and ribbons or you could even get personalized ones! Just make sure that you are comfortable and they suit your body shape. French cuts knickers and boy shorts are more flattering to the bottom than a g-string. Whatever you chose make sure you are comfortable as you will be wearing them all day.

Once the bra and pants have been chosen you might want to wear some form of hosiery. Hosiery can be good if you are having winter wedding as it will keep you pins a bit warmer and can add some color to your legs. If you are wearing open toed shoes then make sure that you have seamless tights or stockings.

Basically you want your bridal lingerie to flatter your assets and remain invisible. You don’t want any knickerlines or bra straps on show. You want to feel as comfortable and as confident as you can on your big day so plan your bridal lingerie in advance. Even if it doesn’t look great on its own what’s important is that is working hard. You can change into something more attractive for your wedding night later on!

About the Author: Jennifer is a part of the digital blogging team at shoutingindigital.com who work with brands like Debenhams. For more information about me, or to keep up to date with the latest in retail news, check out my posts at shoutingindigital.com or visit my Twitter account, @shoutingID.

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Be Prepared For The Unexpected On Your Wedding Day

Nov

A great way to alleviate some of your wedding day’s stress is to be prepared with your own bridal emergency kit — just like the ones used by professional wedding planners. We gathered all the information you’ll need to put together an awesome goodie bag filled with all the essentials required to deal with any wedding day dramas. To save space in your bag, try purchasing travel-size toiletries and items.

Wedding Day Essentials:

- Tissue or handkerchief
- Breath mints
- Blotting papers
- Moist towelettes or wet wipes
- Cell phone (turn the ringer off during the ceremony)
- Compact mirror
- Lip gloss, lipstick or lip balm
- Make-up (mostly the shades you’ll be wearing that day)
- Make-up remover
- Swabs and cotton balls
- Hand lotion
- Toothpaste/toothbrush
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Brush and comb
- Bobby pins
- Hair elastics
- Hairspray
- Nail file and clipper
- Eye drops for redness
- Contact lenses solution
- Contact lenses case
- Sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses
- Double-sided tape
- Sewing kit
- Small scissors
- Straight pins (for boutonnieres)
- Safety pins
- Lint brush
- Clear nail polish
- Nail polish (bride’s shade)
- Nail polish remover
- Stain remover pen (like the Hollywood Stain Remover)
- Deodorant remover
- Static cling spray
- Pair of flat shoes
- Foot cushions
- Headache (or migraine) medicine
- Antacid
- Smelling salts
- Tampons and pads
- Band aids
- Vendors contact information

If you’re looking for a nice bag for your emergency kit, we would suggest buying a monogrammed weekender bag or a cute bridal tote. Splurge on a great bag that can become a keepsake after the wedding by using it as a beach bag on your honeymoon or as a summer bag for years to come. We found a great website with a large selection of bridal tote bags at reasonable prices. http://bit.ly/f9kUkW

If time is not on your side and you really can’t find the right moment to put together your own kit, we found two great — ready-to-use — emergency kits for your big day. Both kit contains most of the essentials you would need on your wedding day, such as mending kit, dental floss, deodorant, mints, etc.

- Mindy Weiss Bridal Emergency Kit: http://bit.ly/9qlA4K

- Wedding Day Survival Kit: http://bit.ly/30kpRU

The second company, called Ms. & Mrs., also sells emergency kits for groom, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, and mother of the groom. They could make really cute gifts for your bridal party. They also offer a smaller size emergency kit for brides called the Bridessentials kit.

Lastly, put your maid of honor, or anyone else in your bridal party, in charge of the emergency kit. Make sure they keep track of it all day. The bag should follow you everywhere — from your house (or hotel room) to the ceremony to the following reception. You never know when disaster will strike!

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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CMT’s 40 Greatest Songs of the Decade

Nov

In the weekend of Saturday, November 13, CMT debuted it’s top 40 songs of the decade. The songs listed are country’s music’s most memorable from 2000-2010.

To view their official news release, visit the CMT Songs press release.

40. Save A Horse – Ride A Cowboy – Big & Rich

39. In Color – Jamey Johnson

38. Days Go By – Keith Urban

37. Stay – Sugarland

36. Come A Little Closer – Dierks Bentley

35. Believe – Brooks & Dunn

34. Like We Never Loved At All – Faith Hill & Tim McGraw

33. Cowboy Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks

32. Forever And For Always – Shania Twain

31. What Hurts The Most – Rascal Flatts

30. Then – Brad Paisley

29. Austin – Blake Shelton

28. She’s Country – Jason Aldean

27. Our Song – Taylor Swift

26. Three Wooden Crosses – Randy Travis

25. Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood

24. You’re Gonna Miss This – Trace Adkins

23. Beer For My Horses – Toby Keith and Willie Nelson

22. Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band

21. Drive (For Daddy Gene) – Alan Jackson

20. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow – Soggy Bottom Boys

19. Red Dirt Road – Brooks & Dunn

18. Give It Away – George Strait

17. Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wolson

16. Somebody Like You – Keith Urban

15. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett

14. Breathe – Faith Hill

13. There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney

12. Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts

11. The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert

10. Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

9. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

8. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

7. Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw

6. The Good Stuff – Kenny Chesney

5. Courtesy Of The Red White And Blue (The Angry American) – Toby Keith

4. Jesus Take The Wheel – Carrie Underwood

3. Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss

2. Hurt – Johnny Cash

1. Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) – Alan Jackson

For great songs for weddings, please wedding WeddingMuseum.com’s list of wedding reception music.

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Wedding Invitation And Stationery

Nov

Choosing a wedding invitation, and all the additional wedding stationery, can seem like a confusing undertaking, especially, if you have no prior knowledge on the subject. With that in mind, we decided to compile a general list of wedding paper goods to take into consideration for your big day — including a quick description to help you decipher all the wedding stationery lingo.

Wedding Invitation – The official letter (usually a flat card) inviting guests to your wedding celebration. The traditional wording of a wedding invitation includes the names of the bride and groom, the date, the ceremony location, and let the guests know who’s hosting the wedding (the couple, one set of parents, or both set of parents). They are usually sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Outer Envelope – According to wedding etiquette, outer envelopes are part of the double envelope tradition where the outer envelope is the one addressed, sealed, stamped and mailed to guests.

Inner envelope – In the double envelope tradition, the inner envelope arrives at their destination in pristine condition. The inner envelope only has the name of guests written on it and is never sealed.

Pocketfold - Decorative — and protective — enclosure for your wedding invitation and additional paper goods. They’re usually adorned with ribbons and bows, or closed with a paper band or seal. The pocketfold would take the place of an inner envelope.

Response Card (RSVP) – This card is usually sent with the wedding invitation and comes with a pre-stamped return envelope. The response card needs to be filled out by your guest and return in a timely fashion. Your guests should specify if they will attend the wedding or not — as well as stipulating a specific number of guests.

Reception Card – The card is a way to invite your guests to the reception and give them the location, times and type of reception to be expected. To be sent with the wedding invitation.

Directions Card – Gives out specific instructions on how to reach your wedding’s location. It can also feature a map of the area. Sent along with the wedding invitation.

Thank You Card – The card is a way to thank your guests for attending the wedding and express your gratitude for the wedding gift they gave you. Thank You cards are usually sent 4-6 weeks after the wedding to all your guests.

Save The Date Card – It’s a great way to inform your guests that a date has been selected for your upcoming wedding. The card should be sent at least 6-12 months before the wedding to insure that your guests pencil in your big day on their calendar.

Ceremony Program – Small booklet that informs your guests of the order of service for your ceremony, as well as songs, prayers, readings and vows. You can also include the list of your wedding party and other useful information.

Escort Card – Displays the name of your guests and specifies which table they are assigned to. The formal version is a flat card tucked in its own envelope. The casual version are tent folded cards. Escort cards are usually displayed on a table near the entrance of the reception room.

Place Card – Found at each place setting on all the tables; it assigns a specific seat to each one of your guests.

Table Number Card (or Table Name Card) – Displayed in the center of each table, they’re a way for your guests to easily find their pre-assigned table.

Menu Card - Fun way to decorate each place setting. It’s also a practical way to inform each guest of the food offerings — as well as the various choices for the main course.

Hang Tag or Stickers - Personalized hang tags or stickers that include the couple’s name and their wedding date. Adds a personal touch to your wedding favors.

Keep in mind that not all the various stationery elements are required for your wedding — except maybe the Invitation, Response card and Thank You card.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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A Few Etiquette Rules About Wedding Registry

Nov

A Few Etiquette Rules About Wedding Registry

You’re getting married and all your planning is right on schedule. You chose a dress, selected the venue, and hired a DJ. Everything is falling into place perfectly. The next item on your list is the wedding registry. Unfortunately, you‘re not sure where to look or how to proceed. No need to panic, we’re coming to the rescue.

First, you can start your search for some bridal registries on this website. Weddingmuseum.com has compiled an extensive list of great online bridal registries from nationwide stores to eco-friendly websites. Visit our wedding planning section for more information.

We also gathered a few etiquette rules to help you navigate your way towards a pleasant bridal registry experience.

A Gift For Every Budget

Everyone dreams of getting luxurious gifts for their wedding. Gifts we probably couldn’t afford to buy ourselves. Maybe you always wanted an engraved silver platter from Tiffany & Co, or maybe it’s a Baccarat crystal ice bucket. You can select a luxury store or brand for your bridal registry, but you should also offer your guests some more affordable options.

Think about offering a wide selection of gifts at varied prices. You really need to be able to accommodate all possible budgets. Additionally, you shouldn’t necessarily expect that all your gifts will be bought at your selected wedding registries only. Sometimes, the unexpected gift makes the best gift!

How To Inform Your Guests

Letting your guests know where you registered is an important step, but it’s also a delicate subject. For example, you can post a link to your bridal registry on your personal wedding website. You can also tell your close family and friends about it; and ask them to tactfully spread the word to other guests.

Other viable options — and not at all agreed upon by etiquette experts — are to include your wedding registry information with the Save the Date cards or the bridal shower invitations. You could also include a gift registry information card with your wedding invitations.

Keep in mind that most etiquette experts (and probably some of your guests) will consider it rude and tacky to include any gift information with the invitations. Some other guests might find it useful and time-saving. In the end, it’s your choice to make.

Thanking Your Guests

Thank You cards are a must, and you shouldn’t skip this step under any circumstances. It would be pretty rude to not thank your guests. On the flip side, we know it can be a time-consuming and overwhelming task. First, all Thank You cards must be handwritten — either by the bride, the groom or both. You can’t also rely on a generic message into each card. It needs to be more personalized than that. You have to mention how happy you were that your guest could attend your wedding day as well as thanking them for the gift they gave you in specific details.

You also need think about sending your Thank You cards no longer than 4-6 weeks after the wedding. If you receive a gift before the wedding, you should try sending a Tank You card right away — that way you lower the amount of work to be done after the honeymoon.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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Wedding Dress Shopping: Quick Facts and Useful Tips

Nov

Your boyfriend has proposed and slipped a gorgeous sparkler on your finger. You’re now officially engaged, and the time has come to start shopping for the wedding dress of your dreams. Finding a wedding dress can be a fun adventure, but it can also be a frustrating and stressful task. So here are some useful tips and tricks; and an overview of what to expect at a bridal appointment.

Before booking an appointment, it would be a good idea to figure out which types of dresses you would love to wear on your wedding — cupcake style with lots of layers, mermaid style with ornate beading, classic A-line with lace, etc. Your choice doesn’t have to be definitive, but it could help point your bridal consultant in the right direction. Simply flip through bridal magazines, or do an online search for wedding dresses that strike your fancy; and bring the pictures with you.

You should also have an idea of the type of wedding you’re planning; because the dress worn at a tropical beach wedding would be vastly different from a dress worn at a winter wedding in New York. You don’t have to know all the specific details of your wedding; but a general idea of what, when and where would definitely give some pointers to your bridal consultant.

Now that you have an idea of what dress you want and what type of wedding you’re planning, it’s time to make an appointment with the bridal boutique of your choice. You may ask why you need an appointment, and the reason is simple: your time is valuable. Brides with appointments will always be served first, and you don’t want to have to wait for a bridal consultant to free up.

Another thing to keep in mind when making your appointment is to allow yourself enough time to try dresses on — at least 60-90 minutes. Don’t try to squeeze in an appointment during your lunch hour from work. Since it can take up to 15 minutes to get you in and out of one wedding dress alone, you really want to have enough time to try on multiple dresses; and make it a pleasant experience — not just a rushed dash to the finish line.

As a general rule of thumb, you want to avoid wearing anything that could stain the dresses like heavy foundation, lipstick, body lotion or a strong perfume. You should also avoid getting a spray tan before your appointment. Bridal consultants usually recommend that you wear a nude colored (or white) strapless bra and matching undies. You can also bring with you some body shapers or bust enhancers. Don’t forget to bring a pair of shoes — similar to what you’re planning on wearing at your wedding; and if you’ve already purchased or inherited some bridal accessories, bring them along as well.

Once your dress is selected, keep in mind that a deposit of 25% – 50% of the final sale price is usually expected — especially if your dress needs to be special ordered. It can take up to 3-6 months for a dress to be delivered. If you want to keep all your options open, start shopping for your dress at least 9-12 months in advance.

You will also have to plan for alterations cost in your budget. From shortening the hem to taking in the bodice, alterations cost can add up very quickly. Keep in mind that the more layers, beading and details your dress has the more expensive the cost will be. It normally takes two or three fittings to adjust a dress. You will also need to hire an experienced seamstress specializing in wedding dresses to fit the dress properly — being comfortable in your dress for the entire duration of your wedding day is priceless.

If buying a dress is too expensive for your budget, you could always look into renting a wedding dress. Please be aware that choices can be limited, and you’ll rarely be able to make alterations to a rental. Another idea is to rent all the accessories — petticoat (underskirt), gloves, tiara, veil or winter cover. It could help lower some of your costs.

In the end, don’t be discouraged if you don’t find your wedding dress on the first appointment. Just shop around — until you find the dress of your dreams. And, finally, our last piece of advice is to stay true to your style. Don’t lose your personality on your wedding day by choosing a dress that‘s not right for you. Your wedding dress should highlight your best assets and reflect your personality perfectly. On your wedding day, what your future husband simply wants to see is the girl he fell in love with… walking down the aisle, looking radiant and happy.

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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Easy Steps To Finding A Reputable Wedding Vendor

Nov

Easy Steps To Finding A Reputable Wedding Vendor

The main thing to keep in mind — when starting your search for wedding vendors — is that you are first and foremost looking for a reliable, trustworthy, and honest wedding vendor. No shady crooks here, please!

If you’re going to sign a contract with anyone and fork over a 50% deposit check — months before the wedding — you really want to make sure all your vendors show up on your big day, and act with the utmost professionalism.

So with that in mind, it’s a good idea to start looking for ways to find great wedding vendors soon after your engagement day. Some vendors have to be booked months — sometimes a full year or more — in advance. Think mostly of the venue, caterer, photographer, DJ, wedding band, etc. If they are in popular demand or have a busy schedule, you should definitely book them early to avoid disappointment.

How to Find a Wedding Vendor (With A Great Reputation)

First would be to check with family, friends and co-workers. Ask them if they have any wedding vendors to recommend. Maybe one of your cousins just got married; or your boss knows a great caterer.

If you’re working with a wedding planner, they usually have a list of vendors they work with frequently. They should recommend great vendors; as it would reflect poorly on them if they suggested unscrupulous wedding vendors to their clients.

If you’re having your wedding at a hotel, banquet hall or restaurant, you can always check with them for a list of their preferred wedding vendors. Usually an on-site wedding coordinator, event/catering manager, or concierge could be able to provide trusted referrals.

Lastly, you can always do an online search for wedding vendors in your area or browse online wedding vendor directories. If you find a vendor by yourself — without any recommendations or referrals — please pay close attention to the next step.

Do Your Homework Beforehand

Before contacting any wedding vendors, you should do some quick research on each one of them. It’s a good way to get more information, and maybe help narrow your list of contenders.

First, you should visit their website and browse their portfolio thoroughly. You should also look to see if their style and their work are what you envision for your wedding. While you’re there, read the testimonials section on their website.

Second step in your research should be to look at each vendor’s reviews on sites like yelp.com, citysearch.com or Google reviews. Doing an online search and reading reviews before contacting any vendors would give you a general idea about their level of customer satisfaction. You can also do a search with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints filed against your potential wedding vendors.

Contact The Vendors

They came highly recommended or the online reviews were outstanding. Great! Now, you’re going to get in touch with them. You should call them, and ask simple questions about availability on your wedding day, price range, what you have in mind; but most importantly, ask them for references — at least three recent clients. Once you called all the clients and are satisfied with their answers, call the wedding vendor back and set up an appointment to meet with them in person.

For that appointment, you will need to prepare a list of questions to go over with them. If you’re not sure what to ask your potential wedding vendors, we found a great website with printable pre-made questions for different type of vendors. Just check the last link of the Online Resources at the end of this post.

You really need to meet with the potential wedding vendors in person to see if they’re a good fit for you. Are they listening to you, your needs and your vision? Do they seem excited with the prospect of working with you? Are they attentive and caring; or dismissive and impatient? You will have a better idea once you interview each vendor personally. And also, trust your instinct; if the vendor seems shady, he probably is.

Always Sign A Contract

And last, but not least, you must sign a contract with each vendor. Period. Not just a verbal agreement or a handshake will do. Any vendor that refuses to sign a contract with you is a shady vendor. Signing a contract is an important — and legal — way to protect yourself in case anything goes wrong.

Be sure that each point discussed, and agreed upon, is included in the contract in as much details as possible to avoid confusion or misunderstanding in the future from any of the parties. And remember to read the contract carefully, including cancellation clause, refund policy and all the small prints, before signing anything.

Online Resources

www.yelp.com (For vendor reviews)
www.citysearch.com (For vendor reviews)
www.bbb.org (To find a Better Business Bureau near you)
http://bit.ly/dnvE1o (Printable lists of questions for wedding vendors)

About the Author: Nadine Elliott, freelance writer for WeddingMuseum.com.

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