Bridal Bouquets – How to Make Your Own

If you are on a tight budget for your wedding, or if you just like working with flowers, you might try making your own bridal bouquet.  You may run into some problems that can be avoided by paying attention to our checklist for making a bridal bouquet.

Read more

The Best Wedding Toast Ever

From the bride:

This is my Man of Honor’s speech from my wedding on April 28, 2007 in Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida.
In this magical moment, I seriously felt like my heart was going to explode!

Popular Wedding Songs

It can be hard to chose songs for your wedding. Certain songs may hold a special meaning for you, so you’ll want to include them. However, if you don’t have any particular songs you absolutely have to include, trying to decide can be daunting. To help you make a shortlist of music for your ceremony and reception, here is a list of popular wedding songs and what part of the ceremony they are often played during.  Of course, you can play any song you want, during any part of the ceremony and reception – you wedding is, after all, all about what you want.

Prelude music: Played prior to the ceremony, while guests are arriving.

• Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
• Isn’t It Romantic (Glenn Miller)
• Water Music (Handel)
• Ave Maria (Schubert / Gounod)
• The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
• Greensleeves (Traditional)
• Rhapsody In Blue (Gershwin)
• Arioso (Bach)
• Ode To Joy (Beethoven)
• Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)
• Gloria (Vivaldi)

Processional & Bridal music: Played during the time the family, wedding party, and the bride walk down the aisle.

• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) from “Lohengrin” (Wagner)
• Trumpet Voluntary in D (The Prince of Denmark’s March) (Clarke or Purcell)
• Canon in D (Pachelbel)
• The Four Seasons (Handel)
• Water Music (Handel)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• I Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• March From Lohengrin (Wagner)

Interlude music (optional): The songs played during the ceremony.

• Ave Maria (Schubert)
• Amazing Grace (Traditional)
• La Traviata (Verdi)
• Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
• And I Love Her (The Beatles)
• Primavera: First Movement, Allegro (Vivaldi)
• Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
• Für Elise (Beethoven)
• We’ve Only Just Begun (The Carpenters)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)

Recessional music: Music played as the new husband and wife walk up the aisle together.

• Wedding March (from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) (Mendelssohn)
• Ode To Joy (from The Ninth Symphony) (Beethoven)
• Hallelujah Chorus (from “The Messiah”) (Handel)
• Trumpet Tune (Purcell)
• Magnificat In D (Bach)
• The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles)
• I Got You (I Feel Good) (James Brown)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)
• I Got You Babe (Sonny and Cher)

Reception music:

First Dance music: First dance as husband and wife.

• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• Can I Have This Dance? (Ann Murray)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• It Had To Be You (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
• I Cross My Heart (George Strait)
• I Swear (John M. Montgomery or All 4 One)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Michael Feinstein)
• When You Say Nothing At All (Allison Krauss)
• Faithfully (Journey)
• No Ordinary Love (Sade)
• Here And Now (Luther Vandross)
• I Can Love you Like That (John M. Montgomery)
• Power Of Love (Celine Dion)
• Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)
• Everything I Do {I Do For You} (Bryan Adams)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)
• All My Life (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• I’ll Be There (Mariah Carey)
• On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)
• At Last (Etta James)
• Don’t Know Much (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)

Father/Daughter music: The dance between the new bride and her father.

• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• The Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• My Dad (Paul Petersen)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• Times of Your Life (Paul Anka)
• A Song For My Daughter (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Daddy’s Hand (Holly Dunn)
• Daddy’s little Girl (Kippi Brannon)
• Daddy’s Girl (Peter Cetera)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof – Sndtrk)
• Lullabye (Billy Joel)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• How Do You Fall In Love (Alabama)
• Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
• Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
• Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)
• Father’s Eyes (Amy Grant)
• Friends (Elton John)

Mother/Son music: The dance between the husband and his mother.

• Don’t Know Much (Linda Rondstadt and Aaron Neville)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• I.O.U (Jimmy Dean)
• Moon River (Andy Williams)
• Moon Dance (Van Morrison)
• ‘Til The End Of Time (Perry Como)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstong)
• In This Life (Bette Midler)
• You’re The Inspiration (Chicago)
• Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Wishing Tree (Sonia Dada)
• Blessed (Elton John)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• A Song For My Son (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof – Sndtrk)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• Ever I Saw Your face (Roberta Flasck)
• Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston)
• I Wish You Love (Natalie Cole)
• Thanks Again (Ricky Skaggs)
• Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

Bridal Party Dances music: The dance including the Bride & Groom, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, and family members.

• That’s What Friends Are For (Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
• Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks)
• We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Heroes and Friends (Randy Travis)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

Cutting The Cake music: Played while the Bride & Groom cut the cake.

• Cut the Cake (Average White Band)
• I Wanna Grow Old With You (Adam Sandler)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
• Hit me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)
• When I’m 64 (The Beatles)
• Recipe For Love (Harry Connick Jr.)
• That’s Amore’ (Dean Martin)
• Happy Together (The Turtles)
• Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)
• I Got You Babe (Sunny & Cher)
• Love & Marriage (Frank Sinatra)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Axel F (Harold Faltermeyer)
• Peter Gunn Theme

Garter And Bouquet Toss music: Played during the bouquet toss and garter toss.

• The Stripper (David Rose)
• Legs (ZZ Top)
• You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Macho Man (Village People)
• Theme From Mission Impossible (Danny Elfman)
• Wild Thing (The Troggs or Tone Loc)
• Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
• Bad Boys (Inner Circle)
• Another One Bites The Dust (Queen)
• Curly Shuffle (Jump n’ The Saddle)
• Kiss (Prince)
• Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (Rod Stewart)
• Gimme All Your Lovin’ (ZZ Top)
• Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
• Freak Me (Silk)
• Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)
• Heaven (Bryan Adams)
• U Can’t Touch This (MC Hammer)
• Shameless (Garth Brooks)

Last Dance music: The last song of the night for the Bride & Groom and their remaining guests.

• Last Dance (Donna Summer)
• New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
• Good Riddance {Time Of Your Life} (Green Day)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain & Bryan White)
• Save The Best For Last (Vanessa Williams)
• Wonderful Tonight (David Kersh)
• Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
• You’re Still The One (Shania Twain)
• Closing Time (Semisonic)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• I’ve Had The Time Of My Life (Bill Medly & Jennifer Warnes)
• How Your Love Makes Me Feel (Diamond Rio)
• Goodnight, Sweetheart (David Kersh)
• The Party’s Over (Nat King Cole)
• Goodnight Sweetheart (Spaniels)
• What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• The Dance (Garth Brooks)
• Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
• Always And Forever (Heatwave)

Red Floral Wedding Invitation Kit by Anna Griffin

This is a box of 50 beautiful wedding invitations from The Wedding Studio by Anna Griffin. The invitations consists of thick ecru backing with a rose print. The top layer is a translucent vellum with your special wording. Both layers are held together with a sheer white bow. This invitation has a traditional botanical feel. Each box has 50 invitations with envelopes and 50 response cards with envelopes. You can easily print your own invitations with these cards following the simple included instructions.

(Click to read more…)

Wedding Vows – Write Your Own

Writing your wedding vows is not something that should be rushed. This is definitely one area of your wedding planning that you will want to take some time sot think about. While you can always chose to use the traditional vows that couples have been saying for years, writing your own vows may suit you and your partner better.

Once you recite your vows, you will be man and wife. Your wedding vows are promises that you and your chosen make to each other, with your family and friends as witnesses. Make your wedding vows even more special by writing personal promises to your future spouse.

Your vows are a great place to insert your personality into your wedding ceremony. Unique wedding vows not only add a personal touch, but they also tell your partner what you hold special in a marriage. You can not only make promises about your future together, but you can also take this time to express to your future spouse why you are getting married and what they mean to you.

Traditional wedding vows go something like this:

“I [your name] take you [partner's name] to be my lawful [husband/wife], to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward until death do us part.”

These vows may be act as the basis for your wedding vows, that you will then embellish with phrases that express what you wish to say. However, some people find traditional wedding vows to be more formal than what they want, or may not suit your personalities and situation. If so, you will probably want to take some time to either re-write this vows, or write completely new vows.

You may need some inspiration to find the right words to say to your intended. Listen to love songs, read some poetry, or search the Internet for some ideas. Ask your closest friends for some ideas or feedback. You may want to write your wedding vows with your partner, instead of trying to surprise each other with your romantic vows at your wedding.

Your wedding is your special day, and wedding vows that touch you personally are a great way to celebrat your day. However, if writing your vows is causing stress and removing the fun from planning your wedding, don’t forget that traditional vows have worked for thousands of couples for hundreds of years!

Choosing Wedding Songs

Choosing the right music for your wedding can be daunting. Many people feel they have to choose traditional wedding songs for their ceremony and first dances. However, more and more frequently people are choosing popular songs that mean something special to them, rather than traditional wedding songs.

Choosing a wedding song that holds a special meaning to you and your fiance will make your ceremony and first dance just that much more special. Whenever you hear that particular song, you will be reminded of your ceremony or first dance.

There are at least three points in your ceremony and reception that you will want to choose a song for: your entrance into the ceremony; your exit from the ceremony; and your first dance at the reception. You might also want to choose a song for a father-daughter dance and maybe a couple other special dances during the reception.

Most couples choose a contemporary, popular song for their first dance. This song might be the same one you first danced to, or might have some other special meaning. Keep in mind that you first dance doesn’t have to be to a slow song; as long as your chosen song is danceable, it will work.

You will probably want to sit down with the DJ or band well in advance of the ceremony and reception to go over what songs you want included. Be sure to also let them know if there are any particular songs you do not want played. There’s nothing worse that bringing up bad feelings by hearing your ex’s favorite song!

The most important thing to remember when choosing your wedding music is that the choice is yours and your fiance’s – not anyone else’s. If the songs have meaning to you, include them. However, you may want to consider the lyrics before making your final choice. Walking down the isle to a depressing song about loosing everything isn’t really a great message to send (unless it’s done as a joke and people realize this). Playing songs with NC-17 rated lyrics at a reception filled with young children is not going to make you a popular bride. The music itself might be beautiful, but after reviewing the lyrics, you may decide that it simply isn’t the right song for your wedding.

If you have hired a band to play, make sure you think about what instruments they will be using – you may not want a lot of electric guitar and drums, or you may not want a harp. Be prepared to listen to various bands and other music before you finalize your wedding song play-list.

10 Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ

GOOD NOTE DJ Steve Hoffman, one of the Washington DC’s area’s top wedding entertainers, presents 10 things brides & grooms should seek when hiring a DJ for their wedding.

Your wedding DJ should:

• help you plan & coordinate your event
• be a wedding expert
• be classy, not cheesy
• provide personalized customer service
• play the music YOU want
• know all about music and know how to read to the crowd
• have excellent microphone skills
• have a state-of-the-art sound system
• play music at a comfortable volume
• share with you ideas to make your wedding unique … memorable … with personal touches …

Handmade Wedding Invitations

Like many people, you are probably on a tight wedding budget. You don’t have to sacrifice style to fit into your budget though. There are many areas where you can cut costs. Handmade wedding invitations will save you money and add an extra personal touch to your wedding.

Your partner may want to help out with making the invitations. If not, then ask your wedding attendants to help out. Make it a fun, early hen party that your younger attendants and flower girls can also attend.

If you like to scrapbook, you may already have some ideas for invitations, and the necessary supplies. If you need some ideas for designs, check out some scrapbook magazines at Barnes & Noble or your local scrapbook store. Don’t forget to browse your wedding shop’s invitation catalogs for some design ideas. If you find one you like and you can’t get a physical sample, you can always check out the company’s website and print a copy.

Many couples who choose to make their own wedding invitations like to incorporate a favorite photograph. Some ideas include a photo of you holding hands featuring the engagement ring, or a professionally done portrait of the two of you.

If you are making your wedding invitations, make sure you leave plenty of time to make the invitations, and still get them out to your guests in time for them to respond. To be on the safe side, add an extra day or two to your time line to allow for mistakes and re-dos. You may find that your chosen design is harder to make than you first thought, or you may change the design after making a few. Leave time in your wedding planning for this.

Before making the final decision on whether to make your wedding invitations or to have them commercially printed, you will want to price out the materials. In most cases, doing it yourself will be much cheaper, unless you need to purchase expensive tools. Ask the local scrapbook store if they have a cropping room with tools that you can use if you don’t have them at home. This will save money.

Handmade wedding invitations maybe the perfect alternative to high-priced commercial invitations. If you want to do it yourself, but aren’t feeling creative, check out one of the many print-it-yourself wedding invitation kits on the market. You can find these at most office supplies and stationary stores, and stores like Target and Walmart. Your local wedding store may also carry these low-price alternatives as well.

Wedding Hairstyles

Every bride wants to look their best on their wedding day. While many women are comfortable styling their own hair, many more would rather leave their strands in the hand of a professional. You may even be able to find a hairstylist in your area that specializes in wedding day hairstyles.

It’s common for the bride and bridesmaids to have complimenting hairstyles. As the bride, you may not want to have the exact same hairstyle as all of your attendants.  The best practice is to choose the style you want, then choose the style for your bridesmaids.

If you can arrange it, have at least your maid of honor with you when you visit your stylist to try different wedding hairstyles. Your maid of honor will give you a third opinion on your chosen hairstyle, and will be able to help you choose what styles you want for your attendants.

Keep in mind that each of your bridesmaids has different hair, that is probably different lengths. A professional stylist will be able to you style both short & long hair so that the hairstyles are complimentary, both to the wearer and within the overall group.

If you have chosen a specific theme for your wedding, perhaps Medieval or Civil War, then you will want to make sure that your chosen hairstyles fit with the theme. If you or one of your bridesmaids has short hair, and your theme calls for long hair, you may want to check out wig options.

Hair can make or break the feel of a theme wedding, especially in the pictures. This is also true of traditional weddings, if one of your bridesmaids decides to show up with pink spiked hair. This may be perfectly fine any other day, but if that’s not what you want for your wedding, then you will need to make sure this is clear before hand.

You may want to have a hairstyle party with your bridesmaids well in advance of the wedding to choose styles and iron out any differences. You will probably also want to ask your fiance to talk to his groomsmen about their hairstyles and facial hair. Ask the men in your wedding party to make sure they are either clean shaven or neatly trimmed for the wedding.

To ensure your hair is healthy & beautiful for your wedding day, make sure you eat healthy, drink lots of wate, take a good multi-vitamin,  and use quality hair care products. If possible, don’t try out a new style for 6 months before the wedding. Keep your hair trimmed to avoid frizzies and breakage. Start this at least 6 months before your wedding and by your wedding day your hair will be gorgeous  in whatever wedding hairstyle you choose.

Wedding Emergency Kits

Having a little bag that you can carry (or have someone in the bridal party carry) with you throughout the wedding day can keep you from worrying about things that may happen, and dealing with them when they do.

Medicine

Although everyone is feeling wonderful on the wedding day, it’s amazing what a few nerves can do to the body. Headaches, upset stomachs, and dizziness can all rear their ugly heads right when you are feeling the most pressure.

And that’s not just the couple.

You may want to keep on hand a few things to keep everyone feeling good, or at least keep them upright throughout the ceremony. A chewable or liquid antacid is a great way to calm any nervous stomachs. Crackers and ginger ale are good though too. For headaches, you can keep some acetaminophen on hand. This is usually gentler on the stomach than ibuprofen, and can be taken without food.

If the bride or bridesmaids should feel dizzy, then have them immediately sit down. Dizziness can be caused by a lot of things—low blood sugar, nerves, and more serious conditions. If the bride or groom should faint, smelling salts can help to revive them.

Bandaids are good for sore feet stuck in shoes that are too tight or that rub.

Beauty fixes

For the women, you may want to have a few beauty tools to keep everyone looking their best. Spare lip gloss and balm are good to keep the lips looking good. A translucent face powder will keep the nose and forehead from shining. Always keep a small bottle of clear nail polish as well. This is good for fixing rhinestones that have fallen off dresses to sealing tears in stockings.

A small brush and mirror can also help, while hair spray and extra deodorant are also nice to have on hand. Bobby pins can help most hair crises, but a curling iron can be an asset too.

Miscellaneous

It’s amazing what you may need and never think of. For example, did you think to bring extra straight pins for the corsages or in case the bouquets fell apart? A small sewing kit is good to in order to fix up any small emergencies.

Stain remover and chalk are also good to have on hand. If there should be any stains that need removing, the stain remover is there. If there’s something on the bride’s dress, then you can lightly cover it with the chalk—it works great and won’t hurt the dress.