An Introduction to Wedding Planners
Posted on August 11, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
Congratulations on your engagement! Now it is time to figure out your wedding plans. You might need some help. Here is an introduction to wedding planners and what they do.
An Introduction to Wedding Planners
Weddings may seem fairly simple at first, but they are not. Regardless of your religion or even if you don’t have a particular faith, there are lots of traditions and issues to take into account. For many couples, it can get very overwhelming, very fast. Using wedding planners is one way to handle everything with a minimum of fuss while also making sure you meet all the traditional expectations of a wedding.
A wedding planner is simply a person who is intimately familiar with weddings, the issues that need to be addressed in a particular type of wedding and the best way to get everything taken care of. They know which vendors to use and which to avoid. One of the most important services they provide is time. As your wedding approaches, your time can be at a premium. Wedding planners can take the burden of handling caterers, the photographer, musicians and so on off your hands. While that may sound interesting now, you will find it is a critical bit of help as the magic day approaches.
Not all wedding planners are created equal. Unfortunately, certain vendors will have a person called a wedding planner on their staff. This person has a conflict of interest. They will try to help you, but know they better deliver for the vendor or they will be out of a job. Avoid these faux wedding planners at all costs. They typically are associated with some service related to the wedding be it catering, the site of the wedding and so on. You want someone that is independent.
To find a legitimate planner, you should look for certain things. First, the proposed planner should interview about all aspects of your wedding. Second, the planner should be able to propose three to five different vendors for the particular need such as caterers and locations for the wedding. Third, the planner should be willing to give you references to other newlyweds that have used their service. Finally, the planner should clearly indicate the exact role they will perform. If it is anything less than handling all issues and problems that arise, move on to the next prospect.
Weddings are joyful affairs, but they can also be hectic. What you should take from this introduction to wedding planners is a simple rule. The wedding planner should deal with the details and issues that arise while you are free to enjoy your magical day.
Fernando Bellingham is with Wedding Yeti - your free directory of wedding planners.
Tags: CEREMONY, details, marriage, plan, planners, planning, reception, weddingHow To Choose The Right Wedding Decorations For Your Special Day
Posted on August 4, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
When you are planning to have a get together or party decorations are something that you need to think about. No party is complete without decorations, whether it be a birthday party, or a wedding, or a graduation, or even a school dance. The decorations you choose will help you set the mood for the whole event. There are couple different ways you can go about getting or making your decorations for your special event.
First thing you will want to do is pick a theme for your special event. You want to make sure all your decorations follow a theme. If you need ideas you can do some looking around in magazines to find some ideas. You can find magazines that have whole party kits you can purchase for your special occasion.
This is an easy way for you to get your decorations all in one package. This is beneficial because you already know that all the decorations will follow which ever theme you decide to go with.
Another way you can get some ideas is to visit your local craft store. If you choose to go to the craft or party or hobby store you will need to make your own decorations. For those who are creative and enjoy these kind of activities this is the way to go.
Making your own decorations tends to be cheaper, but takes more time. If you have the time and the talent this may be a great way to decorate for your party. If you are somewhat creative you may choose yet another option. You may want to make some of your decorations, and purchase some to fill in, and compliment the ones you make. If you are having a child’s party you may want to have some of the parties activities be making place mats, or hats, or other party favors that they can take home. This is a great way to entertain the kids, and they will have a blast.
Another great place to look is on the Internet. You can find many sites that will give you a huge selection of decoration ideas. You might be surprised as to what you can find. This is also a convenient way to get ideas, as you don’t have to leave home. You can look for ideas when you have time, not when the store is open. In addition to getting ideas on the Internet, you can also order your decorations or supplies to make your decorations right from home.
No matter which way you decide to go, just remember that the decorations can make or break the party. If you have great decorations that suggest a fun time, people will have fun. You don’t want to have boring decorations that don’t commit to a theme, so look for ideas if you need help.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as wedding favors at http://www.wedding-planning-plus.com
Tags: wedding, wedding decorations, wedding planningHandfasting As Forever As You Want To Be
Posted on August 3, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
In this age of quickie marriage and instantaneous divorce, the ancient tradition of handfasting makes more sense than ever. Handfasting is a binding commitment between two loving persons that requires no bureaucratic licensing to begin and no lawyers to undo. To those that choose to handfast, the commitment is as deep and binding as anything cooked up by City Hall. Indeed, a handfast can last forever, so long as love remains. Even death cannot end a handfasted union; there is no ’til death do us part’ in the ceremony.
Originally a Celtic tradition, handfasting has been adopted into many New Age philosophies and is practiced quietly worldwide. There are two basic types of handfast: the first to signify a betrothal, traditionally for ‘a year and a day’. If all goes well and after the year-and-a-day the two intended lovers are still up for it, a second handfast binds the two forever –heart, mind, body and spirit– for as long as love remains. The only thing that can undo a handfast is a lack of love.
Most often, the handfast ceremony takes place outdoors, in as natural a setting as can be found. One of the loveliest ceremonies this writer ever attended was on a rooftop in San Francisco, above the city and under the stars. There were pots and barrels overflowing with plants and flowers and thousands of tiny, colorful lights entwined throughout. The loving couple just happened to be two men, radiantly in love and rainbow-hued, flowing silk robes. One wonderful thing about handfasting is that the participants are not bound by restrictive, excluding laws. The only requirement to join another by handfast is true and abiding, requited Love.
Usually, the handfasting ceremony is presided over by an elder of whatever spiritual group the betrothed belong. Sometimes the couple chooses to do their own, private ceremony. So long as their intent is correct and love is true, there really is no ‘wrong’ way to handfast. Some basic elements are typical– words and gestures are offered, acknowledging reverence for nature and the elements. Ancient ancestors are invited and kindly spirits invoked. The betrothed gaze lovingly and deeply into one another’s eyes and whisper promises to each other as the elder gently binds their wrists together with a red cord. This is the actual ‘fasting’ — the red cord signifying love and knots indicating the tender bondage of their mutual commitment. Thus the saying, to ‘tie the knot’.
Indeed a handfast is one of the most delightful Pagan celebrations. It is a time of joyous revelry and magical merriment. It’s a perfectly wonderful reason to dress in fanciful, flamboyant garb and wear flowers in one’s hair. Sometimes, after the ceremony, the newly-wedded couple jump over a broom, leaping together into their new life as one. Traditional ‘cakes and ale’ or other delicious treats are shared afterward and guests are encouraged to dance and cavort well into the night. Love is always worth celebrating; handfasting is a time-honored way of making a truly heartfelt commitment to never-ending love.
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Tags: betrothal, bind, binding, celtic, CEREMONY, fasting, handfast, handfasting, marriage, pagan, wedding « go back — keep looking »