A common trend that has been observed among new-age bride and grooms is that they prefer to make their weddings memorable occasions. They often do away from the tradition of having a conventional church wedding and choose far-off secluded locations. This allows for a beautiful and romantic ambience where they can solemnize their wedding and take the vows which will bond them for lifetime.

These nuptials are popularly referred to as destination weddings. The emergence and consequent success of this concept has led various picturesque locations to advertise them as providing the perfect scenario for a wedding ceremony.

In this respect, one can refer to the beautiful landscapes of Mexico, Canada, Las Vegas, Hawaii and several parts of Europe which have emerged as popular wedding destinations. The Caribbean islands are also well known for their scenic beauty. Whether it is in an ancient church or against the backdrop of the setting sun by the beach, the Caribbean islands offer all the elements that go to make a perfect wedding ceremony.

Apart from beach weddings, weddings can also take place in high altitudes amidst the mountainous terrains. Not only does this provide a wonderful get-away for the wedding guests, the spectacular view from the high mountains have all the ingredients to make a wedding ceremony worth remembering.

Destination weddings allow brides and grooms to experiment with different concepts. One innovative way is to organize the wedding ceremony in a vineyard. Time and again, couples have come across the incredible natural setting that the vineyards provide. This would be a great way of celebrating a wedding for wine lovers or wine enthusiasts.

It is interesting to note here that the different and innovative wedding locations have an impact among the custom of distributing wedding favors among the guests that attend the wedding reception. For example, in the case of a wedding ceremony held at the beach or by the sea shore, couples often include beautifully designed seashell and floral arrangements to adorn the location. Guests can also be given personalized camera wedding favors covered with beach theme inspired designs to capture unforgettable moments.

Few things are more quixotic than a beach wedding. Radiant sunlight, the tiding of waves upon sandy seashore and you and your loving partner standing before a priest speaking promises of love. Your wedding day is the biggest day of your life. It is a day that you had always fantasized about. You want every thing to be perfect. Before the wedding day, you have to plan hundreds of things, be it your wedding gown or the wedding dress, food, decorations, flowers, music, wedding rings and lots more. Apart from all these things, another thing that you take care of are the wedding favors.

Wedding favors have come to be an essential element of wedding preparation. The bride and the bridegroom offer these small presents to their guests. Wedding favors convey the thankfulness of the duo to the guests for participating in their big day. They are unforgettable souvenirs to be kept by the guests. Wedding ceremonies are based on diverse themes depending on society, significance, funds, thoughts or seasons.

Weddings with a beach theme have outstanding attractiveness, aura and stylishness and the guests who are present will have an exciting experience. The visit to such a wedding is a favor itself. Beach wedding favors can convey the immensity and exquisiteness of the beach. There are many diverse sorts of beach wedding favors. Beach favors that are made up of silver are very popular. For example many wine stoppers, coasters, and wine-bottle openers are designed in beach themed forms. Edible beach wedding favors consist of custom-made cookies, chocolates and mint candies that present the cool flavor of the beach. Other admired beach favors include Adirondack chair inspired gifts, flip-flop key chains, decorative soaps and candles.

You can also have home made beach favors that can add flavor to your wedding. Home-made beach favors turn out to be exclusive as well as economical. They can lend special touch to the whole wedding ceremonies. Many general custom-made beach wedding favors are playing cards. Champagne glasses, soaps, paperweights, and picture frames that have nautical themed shapes.

Another favorite beach favor among many couples as well as their guests are seashell made items. These can be original seashells, or things crafted out of the seashells. The beach themed items such as dolphin shaped wine glasses, fish shaped glasses, seashell tea light holders, palm tree placeholders make a perfect memento for your guests. Small models of lighthouses, yachts and sailboats can be given as admirable nautical wedding favors. You can also go for small sailboat glass holders with a few candles in it.

If you plan your beach wedding to be a more formal affair, crystal items make a perfect wedding favor. The crystal oyster with pearl favors, crystal heart shaped bottle stoppers, crystal candy favors, crystal heart key chains and crystal long stemmed roses make perfect wedding favors for your guests.

Finally, your choices are nearly endless. Try to match your theme, colors and guests personalities with your wedding favors and they will leave a big impression.

It’s your wedding day and you are being showered with gifts by all your friends and family who are present at your wedding ceremony. Naturally, you will want to give back something to all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, best man, and guests who have graced your wedding and reception with their kind presence as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude. What better a way to say thank you than personalized wedding favors.

Wedding favors have always been a part of wedding receptions. Today with the wide range of options, sharing your joy with your guests has become very convenient. With the beautiful wedding favors that are available today, and which can be personalized to become cherished mementoes, your guests will long remember your beautiful nuptials.

If you have to give your guests something that is remarkable and creative, then you can surely find so many wedding favors that will suit the theme of your wedding. They are so versatile and pretty, you can use them as place card holders and then, after the ceremony, proceed to give them away as favors so that they serve a dual purpose. Matching your wedding favors to the theme of your wedding is again important for this very reason because you can use them as décor as well as refresh the unique wedding you had.

You can also choose to make your own wedding favors or at least give out practical dual-purpose wedding favors like edible food. For example, an increasingly popular choice for favors are cookies, gourmet foods, wine, coffee and tea blends etc. If you are hand crafting your wedding favors, you will need to keep in mind they are going to take a lot of your time at an already busy time. However, you can make anything that you can think up. Just use your skills and imagination to make something thoughtful and add personalized messages for each of your guests. In fact, they don’t need to be very elaborate. Even simple wedding favors can be personalized and made special.

Some wedding vendors will give you the choice of personalizing their products within the price. You can also choose to have a monogrammed favor with the initials of the two of you entwined for eternity. Other ways to personalize your gifts include personalized tags that feature your names and wedding date printed in place of “Thank You” tags. Also, images like your photos can be printed for personalizing your wedding favors.

You can have your names and wedding date engraved on designer candles, inscribed on mint tins, printed on t shirts, tea lights just about anything. The possibilities are endless that will allow you to make a bold statement which will enthrall your guests. They will have a reminder to save the date not just for your marriage, but also for your anniversary in the following years to come.

Finally, add a bit of your personality to your wedding favors by choosing something that speaks for who you are as a bride and groom. When you personalize them with your names, they should convey to your guests the beautiful memories of you as a couple and your grand wedding.

Fresh flowers are something we just can not do without at weddings. If you are a Spring bride and plan to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature in the outdoors, spring wedding favors are just what you will need to give your wedding a hint of the frolicking nature of the season. Flower and garden wedding favors are popular choices for spring weddings because they bring a unique flavor to your wedding and present something beautiful and functional to your guests that they will cherish.

Here are some of the popular floral and garden themed wedding favors that will really lend themselves to your nuptials. A gift of aromatic freshness like lavender-rose potpourri, botanical bath salts and natural soaps packaged in small gift bags and hand-embroidered sachets with floral themes and personalized with your names and wedding date are just a few popular choices. Your guests will love to keep these for display and scenting their rooms.

Pressed flower candles with beeswax candles scented with essential oils and decorated with a decoupage of pressed flowers look stylish and expensive, but are really cost effective. Even glass votives that are ornamented with floral glory are fantastic floral wedding favors that will become a conversation piece when they are laid out on the reception tables.

Personalized seed packets with a cute spring quote will bring out the green thumbs in your guests. Adorable seed packets with “It’s Spring thyme, Love is blooming” written across it and decorated with a sweet bow will really win over your guests. Even miniature burlap bags that look like the real ones you see that hold seeds are delightful garden wedding favors.

You can also get wine bottle stoppers that are decorated with roses, daisies, daffodils and even elegant calla lilies that look feminine, which will make your bottle of bubbly look superb. Even beaded wine glass charms in various shapes like flowers, dragonflies and ladybugs give your wine glasses a fresh look.

Edible flower and garden wedding favors include cookies in various shapes like daisies, look delectable and totally melt in the mouth. Even herbal teas can be packaged into beautiful packages that your wedding guests can enjoy with cookies in the evening. Chocolate roses will have your guests swooning and if they actually last till your guests reach home, they can be used to decorate cakes and confections.

Mini topiaries are not just garden wedding favors, they can also double up as place holders on your table and then your guests can take them home as little decorative elements. Photo album favors shaped like photo frames and adorned with garden themes like butterflies and flowers are oh-so-perfect for your wedding reception tables and as reminders of your wedding day bliss.

Teacups and teapots are something that are collector’s items and you can easily get small little tea sets to give to your guests as wedding favors if you are following a floral and garden theme or you are having a Victorian tea party-like wedding. They are extremely tasteful.

Finally, there is all this and many other adorable wedding favors that will be wonderful pick-me-ups if you are planning a garden themed wedding. These favors will be a delight to give and receive alike.

Your wedding reception is the biggest party you will ever throw so you want to make sure you do it right. Choosing the right caterer is essential. Take it from me not all caterers are created equal.

Here is a list of tips to help your choose a great caterer

1. Get Referrals

A good place to start looking for a caterer is right in your own backyard. Ask your married friends, family and coworkers for referrals. You can also look in your local phone book. When you’re interviewing your caterer, ask him/her to supply you with references. If the caterer refuses your request, it may be a good idea to leave and go onto the next interview.

2. Licenses & liability Insurance

Make sure the caterer is licensed in your state and has liability insurance. Insurance is very important in case one of your guests gets food poisoning (God Forbid!), chips a tooth, or is involved in an accident after leaving your reception. If the caterer does not have insurance, ask him/her if you can buy some.

3. Budget

The main thing you must consider is your budget. Before meeting with your caterer know exactly how much money you can afford to spend. A good caterer is creative and will gladly work with you to make sure you can stick to that budget. Do not let the caterer talk you into something you cannot afford as you do not need the extra stress worrying about how to pay for it.

4. Flexibility

Is your caterer flexible? Does he/she listen to your ideas and concerns. Will the caterer serve special food for guests with dietary restrictions such as vegetarians, and people with food allergies. Would the caterer be willing to cook a special family dish?

5. Personality & Style

Do you feel comfortable with the caterer. Do you have similar tastes? Beware of the know-it-all caterer who tries to talk you into something you do not want.

6. Food

Be careful! The caterer will try to sell you the most expensive meal plans. Ask how much each plate will cost. How much food each person will receive. Will you serve hors d’oeuvres and what is the cost?

(Money Saving Tip: Tray pass hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and serve a lighter meal.)

Don’t forget to ask about your wedding cake. Will they make one for you or do you need to bring your own. If the caterer is making the cake, do not assume they know how. Ask if they have any sample cakes you can see. Also you should show the caterer pictures of any cakes you like.

7. Taste Testing the Food

Most caterers will allow you to sample the planned dishes. This is very important as you do not want any surprises at your reception. Also, with any luck you may be able to taste a sample of your wedding cake.

8. Servers

Does the caterer provide waiter and waitresses. You will need approximately one server for every ten guests. Also you should ask what kind of clothes the waitstaff wears. Are you allowed to make wardrobe requests?

9. Decorations

When seeking a caterer you also want to know what types of decorations are offered – tableskirts, linens, centerpieces etc.

10. Place Settings

What does the place setting consist of. A good caterer will gladly show you what the plates, glasses and silverware will look like.

11. Bar

What about beverages. How will you be charged? By consumption or by how many bottles are opened. Exactly what are the charges per bottle. And what are the brands to be served. How many bottles will be served? Will you be refunded money for any unopened bottles?

Money Saving Tips: To reduce your bar tab only serve, beer, wine and soft drinks. You may also consider offering your guests an open bar for the first hour or two and then making them pay for their own drinks.

12. Little extra fees

Be careful of all the little extra fees the caterer will throw at you.

• Servers, waiters & hostess fees (plus gratuities)
• Tableware/Linen Fees
• Bartender & Bar Fees & (plus gratuities)
• Overtime fees
• Cancellation fees ~ Make sure you have the cancellation policy in writing!
• Extra food fees
• Policy on champagne. Are there any pouring fees?
• Cutting Cake fees

To make sure you are not charged for any hidden fees Read your caterer’s contract very carefully before signing it. Make sure that all the items mentioned above are clearly stated. If they are not listed, have them written in before signing. Also discuss a payment schedule with your caterer. Never pay for everything in advance. With a little preparation, you can stick to your budget and have the party of your dreams!

Are you getting married in the near future? Are you trying to cut costs in certain areas? Want to have a champagne wedding and you don’t even have a beer budget? If you are concerned about the cost of food for your wedding reception, consider the following tips on how to save money on food at your wedding reception.

Keep in mind that the majority of your guests are not coming to your reception to eat. They are coming to help you celebrate your joyous occasion. (The ones who are coming just to eat probably should not have been invited.)

Don’t put yourself in further debt, just to impress a few guests with an extravagant menu. It really isn’t worth it in the long run. Prioritize what’s important to you and spend your budget accordingly. You do have a budget right? If a beautifully decorated tiered wedding cake is what you have your heart set on spend the majority of money on the cake. Save money by serving a wine punch rather than champagne. White sangria would be lovely and is simple to make. For every 4 bottles of wine, that’s 3 liters, add 2 liters of lemon lime soda. Add sliced lemons, oranges and strawberries and gently stir. Surround the punch bowl with flowers and no one will even miss the bubbly.

Tip number one. Ask close friends and family members to prepare a dish to bring. You will probably find that they are more than willing to help you out… especially if they know you are trying to save money.

You can still plan the menu. Simply give each person the choice of making whatever they prefer from your master list. When planning the menu think of dishes that can be served at room temperature. That way you don’t have to worry about keeping hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold. This works very well for a buffet. If you want to add something substantial to the menu, order a sliced spiral cut ham or turkey.

Tip number two. Instead of a traditional wedding cake opt for a ‘cupcake cake’. These are becoming increasingly popular, even for more extravagant weddings. They can be as fancy as you want them to be. An added perk is the fact that you can use several flavors of cupcakes, as opposed to just one or two. Your guests will appreciate the variety. Have the bakery decorate the different flavors differently. For example chocolate cupcakes could have a pink frosting rose, while lemon has a yellow rose, and spice has a white rose.

Tip number three. Think small. Order mini sandwiches from the deli at your grocers. Compliment with a tray of baby vegetables and dip and one of cheeses. Add a basket of fresh strawberries. Serve mini green salads in small 3 or 4 ounce glasses or clear plastic cups. Top with a tablespoon of vinaigrette dressing. The salads will add color to the table and take up quite a bit of space making the table look bountiful.

You can save money on your wedding reception food and still serve your guests a feast.

Many couples are opting for an alcohol free reception, some to save money; others just do not want the headache of liability. And yes, you are responsible for the actions of your guests. That means if you serve any type of alcohol and one of your guests is stopped for driving under the influence or heaven forbid, they are in an accident you can be sued. It is called third party liability and that is why liability insurance is required by most facilities.

Unfortunately, many people invited to a wedding are under the impression that they are entitled to food, drink and entertainment and overlook the fact that they are there at the bride and groom’s pleasure. Wedding guests are entitled to zip. How much or how little is provided is entirely up to the bride and groom. Shame on the guest who has the nerve to complain they got chicken instead of prime rib and punch instead of merlot. With all this in mind, here are a couple great alternatives to serving alcohol.  

Coffee & chai, now before you go rolling your eyes and give that “oh crap,” sigh, read on. I am not talking about stately cups of coffee and tea served in little china cups with cake and biscuits. I am talking about a bar stocked with a variety of flavored syrups, coffees and teas. Serve iced, whipped, or frapped in Grande’ wine glasses; rimmed with sugar; garnished with an assortment of chocolates and spices and a served with candy coated spoons.   Believe me, this is not only an elegant look, it is deliciously refreshing. A perfectly wonderful choice if you are having an afternoon reception of light hors d’oeuvres or desserts. As always, it is in the presentation. From Irish Cream to Banana Fanna there is such an enormous selection of syrups available your coffee drinks will make Starbucks jealous.   Flavored syrups are not just for coffee and tea however, these same syrups are also used to make Italian Ice. For a formal look serve your ice in martini glasses and garnish with fresh fruit or crystallized edible flowers and a spoon.  Trust me; there is nothing attractive about slurping up a melting drink not to mention the embarrassment of colored ice on your face or clothing.  

Frozen Punch this is an old standby that can use a little tweaking. You have heard of the virgin (alcohol free) daiquiri, margarita and such. Well, here is your chance to shine, don’t tell a soul you are not serving alcohol. Make up two punch bowls and label one for the kids the other something like Brad and April’s Wedding Daiquiris and I swear you’ll have people telling you how much they like the punch but they’re feeling a little tipsy. Again, it is all in the presentation.   What ever you decide to do, remember this is your day, your party and you can do what you want. So fasten your seat belt Emily Post we’re in the 21st century and we’re not looking back!  

Weddings in winter can set the mood upright. When winter is all about wool, wine, and food, why miss out on weddings? Here are a few ideas to help you plan your winter wedding.

First of all, getting the complete wedding area under thermal cover would be a wise way to start off things. The wedding ceremony and reception area should be made as comfortable as possible so as not to let the cold wind dampen the party mood. Non-drinkers may relish the piping hot coffee in cold winters. Drinkers, as usual, look forward to wine and whiskey. A cocktail party would be a befitting choice.

When setting the theme for a winter wedding, never forget to include those glittering rays of sun to be around the wedding reception and ceremony area. This can be in the form of wall papers, posters or any other motifs inspired by the sun. This is a natural way to let in the sun inside the wedding reception area and it should give a very warm feeling to the wedding guests.

If your budget allows, a cashmere woolen jacket and accessories as bridesmaid gifts can show your appreciation like no other gift. Such is the quality of the fiber that, it should be a serious choice to give to your bridesmaids. Presenting the groomsmen with vintage French wines is a way to heat up your groomsmen gifts. A wedding favor choice for your guests would be chocolates or dry fruits in a box wrapped up with glittering paper. There is a wide assortment of choices available with wedding favors to choose from.

There are really great varieties to choose from for this special occasion. Other winter wedding favors include an intricately made candle holder, small flower vases, and miniature bottles of wines may please your guests immensely.

Winter wedding food is really a thing to embrace. With really hot spices added on, it surely should be a hit among the guests. Not only does spicy food provide a gastronomic delight, it also helps guests in keeping warm during the winter celebration.

Finally, bride and groom will surely surprise the guests with a wedding near a hot water spring. Therefore, selecting the wedding ceremony and reception around a hot water spring, if available, would be a fascinating idea.

Theme, theme, theme. That is the question for most couples. Since there are two of you, how can you decide on a compromise that will suit you both while dazzling the guests, and making you and the parents happy? Begin with the basics. You may want to start spending your free time daydreaming the possibilities.

Mistakenly, most couples think that a huge wedding guest list is the only reason, or way, to plan a theme-wedding but that is so taboo. Any wedding of any size can become whatever your imagination can whip up. Choosing a theme and taking the time to narrow down the options, are your easiest way to narrow down all of the choices you are going to be presented with.

Start simple. Sit down with your fiancé, designate one of you to keep track of ideas on paper, and just begin brainstorming. Start with the simple things such as the color. What colors do you want to see? What is his favorite color? What is yours? Do they mesh? Would you like an indoor or outdoor ceremony/reception? Casual attire or formal wear? What are your favorite songs? Favorite foods? Favorite People! What hobbies do the two of you share, and how can they be incorporated? Do you like wine, poetry, contemporary, or extraordinary? Do all of the brainstorming up front. Amazingly, after jotting down all of these simple, complex, and somewhat crazy answers, you very well may more than the theme already decided upon.

If the idea is more specific, that’s great, it will be easy to designate certain aspects. Even if your ideas are more generalized this will give you “play room” to negotiate on some details later on. You need to play with your answers. Ask friends for their input. There are no limits to the creativity you can use for your theme. If you both love jazz, fiery colors, and dancing, then you may decide that a “Fiery Passion” theme is the right fit. Full of reds, oranges, a jazz band at the reception, and lots of beautiful dancing. Have a candle flame on the invitations, and even jazz band instrument favors at the tables with red and orange confetti. You can make it your own.

Feel free to change the theme if the first one loses its flair. The theme should be chosen carefully and thought over for several days or weeks while you consider how to make it special, and how to incorporate it. But remember, you may not be able to change the theme after the invitations are sent, and unless you make it apparent in the invitations, for example, the guests may not know the exact theme. You can go so far as to invite friends and family to dress according to the theme.

Have fun with this. You can have a Hawaiian luow, a king and queen theme, a masquerade ball, or even a Star Trek theme. It is your precious day and you decide how you spend the best few hours of one of the best day of your life. Make it special, make it your own.

Deciding the menu is a pretty simple affair. Once you’ve chosen your menu items, you can move on to organizing the wedding menu. By organizing I mean planning how people will sit, what your tables will look like, types of glasses. All the fine details.

Now don’t let this stress you out – it actually can be a lot of fun! Here’s some tips to get you on the right track. These tips assume you are not having your meal catered and are doing all your own planning.

Decide what time you are going to have your meal at. This will tie to the time of your wedding to some degree. If you are getting married in the morning are you having lunch, brunch, or a mid afternoon meal. Afternoon wedding, are you having a super time meal, a later evening meal.

Are you going to rent your dishes? Borrow from family? Use disposable plates? Same goes for glassware and flatware. If you are having a smaller wedding you can often get good pricing on sets at discount department stores.

If you are purchasing your dishes, what is your theme? Color? Style?

What type of glasses are you going to use? Wine glasses for certain, what about coffee cups, water glasses. Again either borrow or visit a discount department store.

I recommend renting your dishes, flatware, and glasses from a catering company. The prices is usually very nominal. Everything matches, they deliver the clean dishes, after your meal you simply put the dirty dishes in the containers supplied, they pick them up and take care of cleaning them.

If you supply your own dishes, then somebody has to be prepared to do clean up. Renting dishes is simple, affordable, and lets your guests focus on enjoying your wedding.

You will also need to decide what the theme for your tables will be, what type of flowers you will use and whether you will get locally grown flowers or purchase from a florist. If you choose flowers in season in your local area you can make beautiful flower arrangements for a fraction of the cost.

What about your tables and chairs? Does the hall or facility you’ve rented provide them? If yes what do the charge. If they do not then you’ll need to contact someone who does rent these items. If your wedding reception is small you may be able to borrow enough chairs and tables to accommodate your guests.

Tablecloths and table coverings – you’ll need to decide color and style. As well you’ll have to decide what type of decorating your going to do. Your decorating and colors will have a lot to do with your general wedding theme. Fun, romantic, tropical?

The quickest way to get organized is to grab some paper and a pencil. Draw a rough diagram of the room layout, then begin sketching in your tables, how you will seat people, where you want your flowers and decorations. Once you’ve have a visual the rest will fall into place.

As some friends to give you a hand with decorating. Most halls will let you into the day before to complete your decorating and set up. In fact, before you rent the hall make this a pre-requisite.

Most important! Enjoy the planning – this is your wedding, one of the biggest events of your life. There is no right or wrong, there is only what makes you happy. When your happy, your guests will relax and enjoy themselves whether they are seated at formal dining tables or around…