Unique Gift Ideas

If you're buying for a fitness fanatic, a gym or spa membership gift certificate will surely be well received. If you're on a budget, get your loved one a “free-trial membership,"" with a one-day personal trainer. A day at the spa with a body massage and facial included is always nice for your female friends.

Monthly club subscriptions are generous gifts and depending on your friend's interest you can enroll them in a 12-month program for books, flowers, coffees, fruits, etc.
 

Prepaid long-distance calling cards are great for kids in college or parents who are miles away. Prepaid Internet cards are appreciated by anyone who is about to purchase a computer. The card will allow them to explore the Internet and other features like email, chat, games, etc.
 

Gift baskets can be as unique as you want it to be. Most gift basket shops will custom make any basket you request, or you can purchase separate items and create your own basket.

If money is no object, resort accommodations for a weekend getaway for two as a unique gift idea will never be forgotten. Or, if the gift is meant to be extra special, travel and tour packages can be found at any travel agency or online.

Unique Gifts provides detailed information on Unique Gifts, Unique Gift Ideas, Unique Baby Gifts, Unique Wedding Gifts and more. Unique Gifts is affiliated with Unique Gifts Online.
 

 

 

What is a Kimono?

Many of the people that are seen wearing kimono today is usually known to be older women and on special occasions. Most of this is due to the cost of this expensive garment. They are usually made from silk and can be hard for many of the Japanese to afford because of its lavish style. Most of the time, a kimono is given to a child by a parent or made for them.

Women are most seen wearing the kimono. They are worn for many occasions and are considered a tradition for most. Girls will wear one when they attend anything that is tied to the arts. A younger girl and single women wear a more colorful style of Kimono with longer sleeves and tied with a bright colored sash. A Kimono is made with material that has a simple pattern and is more plain and casual in style.
 

At weddings, the bride and the groom will go through a series of clothing changes using Kimono. A shiromuku is a heavy white Kimono that has great detail etched in it. The groom will wear a black one that is made from silk and will carry the family crest called a hakama or a pleated skirt. They will also wear a short coat called a haori.

Usually in the Japanese culture, when there is a funeral to attend, the men and the women will wear a black kimono to show respect. When a man is going to a funeral, it is custom for them to wear a black tie and for a wedding they have to wear a white tie. This is the only way that a person will know where the man is going when wearing a black kimono.

The mother will pass down the tradition of putting on a kimono to her daughter. There are however, special classes that will teach the occasions and the art of putting on one of these beautiful pieces of clothing. Most of the time a Kimono is made from silk, wool or another man made fiber. It will depend on the month and the weather as to which one will be worn and when.

There is an art to putting on the Kimono and it has to be done correctly. The first thing to do is put on the white socks called the tabi. Next are the undergarments and then the wrap around skirt. Finally comes the kimono with the left side over the right side and it tied with an Obi.

It is essential that a person who wears a kimono know when to wear it and the proper way to put it on the body. This is part of a culture and is important to understand before putting one on.

Do You Want To Party?

Parties are as old as fire. People have been coming together to share food, engage in conversation for ages. Young and old, rich and poor have been inviting each other to party with each other throughout history. Sharing food, at home or elsewhere, is just as old as civilization. Parties are among the activities that tie us together as people. Without exception, every holiday, special occasion, or celebration is centered around the sharing of food, company, and conversation.
 

Rituals and traditions guide and emphasize a lot of the celebrations people have come to love. Some, like the birth of a child, weddings, and death are rites of passage. Others, such a New Years, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving focus on secular and religious holidays take place at certain times of the year. Still others, such as the Oscars, the Super Bowl, are special events that present a chance to gather together with friends and family members of similar interest. We not only celebrate the occasion but the opportunity to be together with people we care about.
 

As you get ready to plan a party you have to ask yourself whether or not you enjoy to party. While you may find it hard to believe, many people don't enjoy parties. There is nothing wrong with not caring for entertaining, but you have to know this about yourself. You may be afraid something will go wrong, or that you forget something, or you don't enjoy to have too many people at your house, whatever the reason may be, you need to know if parties are for you or not.

Having people in your home is a private event. Your home is part of you, and what happens there is going to have a lot to do with your overall mood. We all are different, and we all have our own preference about parties. What's yours?

A Magician at Your Wedding

A close up magician provides interactive entertainment. Mixing with your guests he is able to cause laughter and amazement. Magic appeals to everyone from the ages of 9-90. Imagine seeing your engagement ring disappear in a flash of fire only to reappear seconds later in a ringbox that you were holding. Or you write your name on a playing card and seconds later it is 40ft above you stuck on the ceiling. This sort of magic is the kind of thing people only witness on television but seeing it first hand is a different experience altogether.
 

Not convinced yet? Here's how a magician can really benefit you. There are a couple of periods in the wedding day where guests are just, well, standing around doing not much. This is fine for the social animals who are happy to chat to old friends and family but not so great for those that have come in a couple or don't really know anyone else. The drinks reception following the ceremony can take a long time as the photographer tries to round the right people up for each photo. Similarly the part of the day where the speeches finish and the day reception turns into the evening one. This tends to be a slightly dead patch. A close up magician (or indeed, any sort of mingling entertainer) can help a lot to keep momentum up and keep everyone amused. Some weddings book entertainment a year or more in advance but you will often be able to find people available at short notice. It is best to sort entertainment at least 6-9 months in advance. Most decent magicians find their diaries and especially weekend dates fill up quite quickly. If you have budget concerns and want to see how much spare cash you have then you will want to wait until closer to the date before booking extras. When it comes to hiring your magician check out their website, look at comments from past customers and make sure they have photos of them in action. Speak on the phone to them to get an idea of their personality.

 

All about Indian wedding sari

However they wear Indian wedding sari, the type of Indian wedding sari also come in styles which are quite common to the place. To introduce the Indian wedding sari, it is a cloth with a certain length which is being wrapped around the body which follows a design or a pattern which is intricate.

The only thing that holds the Indian wedding sari are pins. It keeps the Indian wedding sari tucked in the body especially in the waistband. When it is wrapped around, there is a remaining part which is draped over the shoulder of the bride.
 

The "pallu" is known as the remaining length of the cloth when the sari has been wrapped around the body. This is known as the Indian wedding style of the dresses. The Indian wedding sari may come in a variety of colors depending on the theme of the wedding.
 

There are some Indian wedding saris that are cheap because the cloth that is used has a simple fabric while some of the Indian wedding saris are too expensive because of the property of cloth that is being used. Sometimes, some of the Indian wedding sari is being passed on as tradition goes.

When a woman is going to get married, some of the elders will pass on the Indian wedding sari that they have used during their wedding. This is the reason why Indian wedding sari is kept after the wedding ceremony. This makes it more memorable and for them, it brings some luck that can be passed on to the newly wed.

If you are not Indian but want to wear have an Indian wedding sari, you can have it if you want. However, it is quite hard to look for the sari fabric because you need to go to India in order to buy it. Some are sold in other boutiques especially from Indian boutiques. Most Indian wedding sari is colored red because it is the traditional color of a wedding sari.

The red color also represents happiness and good luck to the couple who are getting married. White Indian wedding sari will represent mourning for the Indians that is why they don't go for it. No matter how you want to wear a white Indian wedding sari, you cannot wear it in India because for them, it represents sadness.

If you have been used to white wedding gowns, you will be surprised to see Indians wearing Red Indian wedding sari but its how they look at it. Indian wedding sari has been worn for a long time ago but nowadays, a lot of people are wearing saris and you can even see them everywhere.

Now that you know how a red Indian wedding sari is important to the Indian people, you can try looking for it if you want to have a wedding the Indian way. After all, wedding gowns have been common so why don't you try to give it another taste. Wear Indian wedding sari on your wedding and wear it red.
 

 

Top Wedding Trends for 2006

While traditional white is not likely to be surpassed in popularity, there are some other interesting and tasteful color options that have really taken off. This year, the color purple is the color to beat. From lavender to eggplant, purple is one of those colors that are both timelessly rich and elegant. This year, it is being used in everything from bridesmaids' dresses to cocktail napkins. Lilac is a wonderful choice of color for a summertime wedding, no matter where you decide to use it.

While flowers come in a veritable rainbow of colors, more and more people are using dyed flower arrangements in their weddings. More often than not, this is done to accentuate the choices of color used in the clothing of those in the wedding party. Some of the most popular wedding flowers for 2006 include gardenias, lilies, orchids, and daisies. Another popular trend we have noted is the use of wild flowers that have a fresh-cut look.
 

As far as wedding cakes are concerned, we are starting to see a lot of people trying to tie their cake style into the theme of their wedding. For instance, a springtime wedding cake might be topped off with edible flower petals. We are also starting to see many couples straying away from the traditional bride-and-groom cake toppers, and opting instead for monogrammed letters or sugar sculptures. The average cake size continues to be in the four-to-five tier range.

Regarding the actual wedding ceremony, we have witnessed an increasing number of couples exchange vows while facing their guests. More and more, couples are also writing their own vows. We are seeing more children directly involved in the wedding, too. While every couple wants their special day to be unique and memorable, these are just some of the ways in which couples are personalizing their wedding ceremonies in 2006.
 

 

 

A Rose Is Not Just Another Flower

There is no doubt about it. A rose is one of the most beautiful of all God's creations. That being said, there is also a widely held belief that roses are difficult to grow. When in fact, they are actually quite easy to grow and far less demanding then most people think.

In addition to being beautiful, the rose is a very versatile flower. It is the flower most often used in wedding bouquets and delivered on Valentines day. A single rose can say "I love you" in a way that no other flower can do.
 

Most roses bloom all summer long. They love the sunshine and to be watered at root level. They do not like water on the flower itself. And to retaliate, the buds won't bloom and the full flowers will develop ugly spots. So no high-shooting sprinklers please.
 

A rose is beautiful all by itself or grouped with other flowers. Place a single rose in a bud vase with a sprig of fern or baby's breath in the guest or powder room to let your guests know how glad you are they are there.

Todays roses come in a large variety of colors, both solid and some mixed. There are white, yellow, various shades of pink and red, lavender and even roses which appear to be black.

The white rose is most often the flower of choice for weddings due to white being the color of purity. Yellow roses are good for impersonal gifts. Because a yellow rose is a symbol of friendship and trust, they are a good choice for friends, co-workers, secretaries and teachers. A pink or lavender rose is a good choice for family members such as mothers aunts, and grandmothers. While the red rose brings with it the connotation of a deeper love between a man and a woman.

If you have some rose bushes in your garden, you probably already know the importance of dead heading your roses in order to promote new growth. But wait, don't just toss those spent flowers into the recycle bin! Instead, strip the flower head of the remaining petals and place them in a colander. Leave the colander in the sun and "stir" the petals every few days. When completely dry, store the petals in a paper bag.

By the end of summer you should have enough petals to fill several bowls to place throughout the house. By mixing in a few drops of fragrant oil, you can continue to enjoy your roses several more months. In fact, your own home- grown potpourri will be well-accepted when received as Christmas gifts. Looking for more rose resources?

Figurine - An Art Form

Although it is not exactly known as to why man made figurines, it is sure that in one way it was the graduation from the cave paintings and sketches perhaps out of artistic interests or because of awe and wonder for the supernatural powers that he could perceive. Figurines in the modern day are more a form of art than anything else.

Figurines were used for a variety of purposes. While some were used to serve as deities in religious and ceremonial occasions, some of the figurines depict special purposes. This means that a woman gifted with figurine of "pregnant Venus" implied wishing successful fertility.
 

Since figurines are mainly female figures, so they make great gifts in wedding and other rituals. The figurines are also meant to amuse children who spend their time playing with them. Some of the figurines also serve as jewelry for women.

Different Faces of Modern Figurines In the present day art form, copper, glass, plastic, wood and even rubber are used in making figurines. In the recent history, figurines are adopted for playing board games such as chess. Players use differently colored figurines while playing the war game as in chess. Each piece in the game is a figurative replica of its live model.

Today, figurines made of plastic and porcelain are popular for their adoptability to molding easily than stone which needs to be carved as the only form of making them and glass, although is best suited for molding, is rather used in making transparent figurines.

Unlike the ancient times you can find figurines of all types and subjects to suit your needs and the ambience of your home and offices. It may not surprise you to find figurines made especially for occasions like for example, the Valentine's Day or the Christmas Day. The most attractive and much in demand figurines belong to wildlife and floral designs.

Figurine Collecting Hobby Internet has made life simpler for figurine collectors. Locating an interesting figurine over the net has a second advantage that you can purchase online. You can find specialist shops for themed figurines like Hummels, a very popular one whose value has always appreciated.

Normally Curio cabinets made of wood and glass are used for showcasing figurines, otherwise depending on your home's décor and size of the figurines they can be displayed on table tops and corner tables too.

If it was a mixed feeling of awe and respect in addition to artistic inclination that gave birth to figurines but what takes it to a higher plane of merchandising is the awareness created by the Internet era.
 

 

 

How To Cut Your Wedding Catering Bill Cost

Don't order more food than you need.

Most couples want to order an extra tray or two of hors d'oeuvres in case extra guests show up. This is fine (and usually a smart idea), but you should still make sure that you're not order more appetizers than you actually need; use your discretion based on the guest list. For instance, if you know a number of your guests are vegetarian, you may not need to order as many appetizers with meat. Also, ordering two or three types of hors d'oeuvres will help to reduce your catering bill. If you buy more of the same dish, you can usually save money with most catering companies—different kinds of foods will increase the bill, so it's important to keep it classy but simple at the wedding—even when it comes to food.
 

Caterers will also try to encourage you to spend more than you may need to on the actual meal as well. You may not need a five course meal if you've already purchased three types of appetizers and a salad, or three extra desserts if you already have a pretty large wedding cake. The time of day that you hold your wedding will give you a good indication of how much food to serve; if you're having the ceremony in the afternoon or early evening, you may want to serve more food.

Pay attention to the types of foods you order.

There are some foods that are always going to be expensive, even if you only order small amounts. So, since you have to order a considerable amount of food, ordering dishes that aren't so costly will help you to keep your catering bill reasonable. Certain seafood, like shrimp, lobster and salmon will definitely make your catering bill higher, so if you have to have them, try to use them as only one of the course choices for dinner, or purchase these foods as appetizers to save on costs.

Have food stations.

Food stations are a unique way to serve a variety of foods at your wedding reception, and you can be sure that everyone will find something they like to eat. This way, you won't have to worry about people changing their minds about their meal choices once they arrive at the reception. A food station with different types of pasta is usually a hit with most guests, and can be very economical. You can also include food stations with other types of the ethnic foods, such as Mexican or Indian fare, to celebrate the cultures of the people who will be attending your wedding, or to acknowledge your backgrounds.

You may also be able to cut your catering bill by not requesting an elaborate setup for your food stations and tables. Using a single color for tablecloths, usually white, will cut down on labor costs. To add more color to your reception decorations, you may want to add elaborate centerpieces, so that you can spend as much as you need to on the meals for the reception. To get menu ideas and more pricing information, log on to sites like www.weddingsutra.com and www.foreverwed.com.

 

Planning Your Wedding Together

Approaching your wedding as a twosome can give you the best results in less time. It is also a fairly good predictor of how the marriage will be. It answers many questions that will be important to the marriage, questions such as:

Who makes the decisions? Are they joint decisions or does one of you always have to have his or her way? Is one of you always right? (This implies that the other is always wrong). Does one of you usually have to agree just to get beyond the impasse and get on with it? Is one of you "The Boss" and the other the "Bossed?" Does that work for you?
 

Are your management styles compatible? Does one of you micro-manage and one of you use a broad brush approach and does that work for you? Sometimes this is highly effective because the broad brusher generates the creative ideas and the micro-manager can work out the details. It takes both. On the other hand a broad brusher can drive the micro-manager crazy and vice versa.

 

Are you willing to yield to the expertise of the other? Can you divide up the workload evenly and not second guess each other, but trust that it will be done correctly and on time? What do you do when you have a huge disagreement? Do you have a plan to work things out, to negotiate until you find a common ground of agreement? Does one of you hold a grudge if the decision doesn't always go your way?

How do you handle money? Is one of you "tight-fisted" with money and the other an impulse spender? Can you agree on an amount you can spend independently without consulting the other? What happens if one of you doesn't abide by the agreed upon amount? How do you resolve the issue?

Do you have similar likes and dislikes? Do you find that you almost always pick the same thing, even though you aren't together at the time? Do you, for example, generally like the same colors, music, style? If not, do you know and appreciate what the other one likes? Is it o.k. to like different things? If not, does one of you always have to capitulate or do you find ways to work out who gives in now and who gives in later?

If, as you get closer to the wedding date, you find that you are at each others throats and are playing the "blame game" or the "poor me, the martyr" scenario, it's time to stop and take a good hard look at your relationship. Marriage is made up of multitudinous compromises by each of you. It requires give and take, yes and no, me and you in equal proportions. If the problem is a matter of exhaustion or the "jitters" that's one thing. But if you simply cannot work together, take some time to think it over, even if it means postponing the wedding. Some pre-nuptial counseling may be of help before you proceed.


 

Ideas for Creating Your Wedding Scrapbook

Here are some tips to help you get going:

-- Figure out the details ahead of time.

Making some decisions as to the theme and color scheme of the album will save you time and money.

First, you'll need to decide whether this album will cover your entire wedding celebration - from engagement through honeymoon - or will you focus on just the wedding day itself? If you decide on the latter, you might want to choose a 6x6 or 8x8 album project for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, honeymoon, etc.

Next, you'll want to choose a color scheme. The most popular choice is to work with your wedding colors.
 

Consider setting off these wedding colors (or other colors you choose) by pairing them with a classic black or white cardstock background. I love the look of black-on-white in wedding albums. I also love mulberry flowers, ribbons, vellum and fabric. Deep reds and pinks accents are gorgeous, too, for simple embellishments.

Remember that elegance and simplicity tend to go hand in hand. The wedding scrapbooks that stand the test of time are timeless and classic.

You'll also want to look at some simple wedding scrapbook layout samples or sketches of completed albums so you can see what kind of supplies you'll need. At the very least, you'll want to know how many pages the finished album will be before you go to the scrapbook store. The more detailed your plan, the less money you're likely to spend.

-- Go through your photos and memorabilia

For me, scrapbooking is about telling the stories of our lives, so I love to work with the photographs that really tell a story. You'll want to choose only the best and most interesting photographs for your wedding scrapbook album. (The posed portrait-type photos can be framed and sent to family members.) Store the remainder of the photos in a companion photo album. Remember, simple is elegant. It's also a good idea to work with duplicates of your priceless wedding photos. You may find that you want to work with these photos again in the future, and you're certain to feel more of a creative license if you know that the originals and intact and safe.

Memorabilia. I tend to go easy on memorabilia...maybe keeping the majority of it in a memento box along with my companion photo album and scrapbook, because I don't like to detract from the story of the album.

Memorabilia you might want to include (either directly on the page or in a special pocket):

- Wedding and shower invitations - Fabric from your dress or bridesmaid dress - Receipts - Honeymoon plane tickets - Place cards - Bridal registry - Shower gift lists - Napkins

Make a simple checklist of the kinds of things you'd like to include, but trust your inner artist to take the reins and let the story unfold.

-- Don't forget the journaling

The most powerful journaling comes not from the 5 w's (who, what, where, when, and why) - but from the 5 senses. Specific details are more memorable and intriguing than generalities and the best way to vividly remember your wedding day is to focus on each of your senses. What do you remember seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling, tasting? How did you feel as you were standing at the altar? How did your wedding cake taste? What was the weather like? What stands out as the visual symbol of your day?

Ask the wedding party to contribute their thoughts via journaling, too. Ask for specific memories..."the most memorable part of my day was..." Coach guests and members of your bridal party to use their five senses, too.

Another trick that creates more powerful journaling is to start with a blank page and write "I remember" at the top. Now, simply reflect on the day of your wedding and let your hand move across the page. If you get stuck, write "I remember" again and keep writing. Your goal is simply to keep the pen moving across the page, without crossing anything out or stopping to think too much. Aim to complete two to three pages, and you'll be amazed by the flood of memories this technique release - even if your wedding wasn't in the recent past. These methods can create very emotion-filled journaling, so consider keeping private journaling tucked away in journaling pockets.

-- Assembling the Scrapbook

Start the album with a dedication page. Tell why you created the album and a few details on why your wedding was such an important day in your life. It's a good idea, in wedding scrapbooks particularly, to avoid overly trendy design techniques. I've talked to more than one scrapbooker who now regrets cutting her priceless wedding photos into silhouettes or cutesy shapes. A wedding scrapbook is timeless, so - again - simple is most likely better. A simple design also tends to better draw attention to the photos and journaling - your personal love story.

Your wedding scrapbook will be one of the most albums in your home. Enjoy the process of creating it!

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons.

Most resorts and cruise lines offer wedding and honeymoon packages to help keep a destination wedding stress-free and simple. Some offer complimentary services of their on-site wedding consultant to help coordinate the essentials, such as your marriage license, flowers, photographer, wedding cake and the reception. All invited guests should be notified of the required travel documents for the destination chosen. Passports are required for some destinations.

Some of the most popular wedding destination locations are Hawaii, Disneyworld, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.
 

All-inclusive resorts such as Sandals Resorts, Palace Resorts and Couples Resorts are top picks for combing the wedding and honeymoon. Sandals recently announced a partnership with the internationally known event designed and wedding planner Preston Bailey and have created the Preston Bailey Signature "WeddingMoons" at Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Often the all-inclusive resorts will offer a free wedding for couples that stay 7 nights or longer.

With a destination wedding the choices are endless. It is often a longer celebration and typically involves fewer guests due to the costs associated with travel. Destination weddings are usually less stressful, more relaxing and cost less than a traditional wedding. Whatever the destination choice for the wedding and honeymoon, planning ahead, researching, seeking guidance and advice will insure wonderful memories of the "WeddingMoon".
 

Give the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Gift for Your Wife

The last time you forgot about your anniversary, you took your wife to a fast food restaurant because the entire fine dining restaurant in town was full. You probably even slept on the couch and your wife never said a word to you for a full week just because you forgot about your wedding anniversary.

Now you think everything is prepared, you double check your checklist, you made a reservation to the finest restaurant in town, you hired a singer to serenade for your wife, and you hired a stretched limousine to take you and your wife to the restaurant and back home.
 

You may think you're not forgetting anything anymore. You may think everything will be perfect and your wife will be very happy. However, as with all anniversaries, you may neglect to think about the one very important thing to make it very special. You wonder what, and then you remembered that your wife have been giving you hints about something she wants weeks or even a month before your anniversary. You forgot about her wedding anniversary gift.
 

Wedding anniversary gifts are one of the most important things you should never forget about to give your wife. This will make her very happy and make the day very special. However, you have to give her something that she will truly appreciate and will never forget for a long time.

You have to listen to what your wife is saying weeks or even a month before your wedding anniversary. This is where she will usually give you hints about what she wants for the wedding anniversary. In case she does not give you hints, you may want to buy her something that she really likes, like something for her hobby or even beauty products for her body, like massage devices and bath products.

How about giving her treats like chocolates, or instead of going to the restaurant, you can cook her a romantic dinner while you treat her and her friend for an all day pampering in the spa, complete with baths, massages and beauty treatments. After she goes home from the spa, everything will be ready. A romantic candlelit dinner right in your own home with you cooking for her can be the perfect gift for your wife. Just make sure that you know how to cook or it the dinner will be a disaster.

If you want something on the expensive side, you can give her jewelry. Although this may cost you your three months salary, she will truly appreciate it.

Or, how about a one week vacation cruise on an exotic island where both of you can relax and spend the entire week on a romantic getaway. This is a great gift where you can spend quality time with your wife for a whole week.

If you really don't know what to give her or her hints are really hard to guess, you can always ask her friends about what she wants. This is a great way to know what gift she wants for your wedding anniversary.

Always remember that whatever gifts you give her, what matters is the way you give it to her. Be a little creative to really make your gift, whatever it is, remembered for a long time.

 

How To Have The Wedding Of Your Dreams

Now that the event is in the planning stages are you going to have it inside a lavishing church? How about on the beach, as the sun sets over the lapping waves of the ocean?

Lapping waves sound so romantic don't they? Sunsets, what could be better?

Here are some simple things to think about when choosing your wedding location and whether or not those lapping waves could be a blissful romantic soul soother or a nightmare in the making.

First, think about choosing the site of your ceremony. The beauty of the ocean or a river path needs little embellishment. When planning an outdoor wedding, let the location speak for it's self. And remember that Mother Nature speaks loudly so make sure an outdoor wedding is exactly what you want by using these questions in your decision-making lists.
 

THE PLACE: * Is the place you are looking at free of other events on the date you want? * Are all permits and papers easy to access, do you need special permissions for large parties? * Will the space where the chairs will be placed in loose sinking sand or is the beach full of storm debris? * Do you have a long flowing gown in mind? Would a church floor be better then a lawn, for the dry-cleaning bill afterward? * Does my area have storms in the month I want my wedding? If so, should I have the ceremony inside or rent a tent? * Does both families agree on style like casual, religious or traditional wedding? * If you have a particularly long ceremony think about if you want guests to be prepared to wait to use the restroom (if on a beach, or be prepared to rent extra facilities.
 

Once you have an idea of the area you want your wedding to be performed in you can add the type of building you want it to be in, by using this list of things to think about.

TYPE OF TENT OR BUILDING: * Will it be a frame tent or a tent with center poles and ropes on the outside to secure it? Will the area hold tent stakes? * Should you rent a church or community center because a large portion of your family are elderly and cannot walk well on sand or winding paths? * Does your local park have the perfect place like a gazebo or arbor free of charge to local residents? * Open air means wind, bugs, and birds.

You now have some basic ideas about the place of your special ceremony and type of building, tent or open area you may enjoy. You might want to think about how large a wedding party that space can hold. HOW MUCH SPACE YOU NEED: * The number of people attending the wedding determines size of your area. * Style of wedding. Will it be a formal or casual style? * Size of the band or do you have a recording for processional music? * Size and shape of chairs or bench for setting guests and number of aisles required. You might have a difficult time hauling a tent or canopy with aisle runner, kneeling benches, candelabras, a wedding arch and other accessories to a small-secluded beach or riverside. If this were a concern for you it would be better to hire a professional rental company that can help you coordinate all the extra details that must be imported for an outdoor event.

An outdoor wedding can be the most wondrous of occasions and hold a place in your heart and memory forever. With a little forethought and planning your day can go off without any hitches and I hope these hints about what to think about when planning your event helps you on the way.

My last suggestion would be to talk to your local wedding specialists before jumping in feet first. Good Luck and congratulations on your up coming wedding and God Bless. QUOTE "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness." - Henry David Thoreau

Seven Marriage Myths You Can't Afford to Ignore

Why should you be concerned if this is the case? Because what you aren't aware of can blindside you down the marital road, that's why. Life throws in enough surprises on its own, so you don't want to be caught off guard unnecessarily.

Review Your Assumptions for a Reality Check

The following misguided assumptions can get you into trouble in your marriage:
1. You should always feel loving toward your spouse.

It's not realistic to think that you'll always have loving feelings toward your spouse. There are occasions when Lee and I are upset with each other and we don't like each other very much. We may have to make an effort to remind ourselves of the other person's positive traits.
 

At those times, we know that underneath all of our upset feelings we still love each other, but the predominant feelings we're experiencing are anger and hurt. And it's difficult to feel loving when you're frustrated, feeling resentful, or harboring anger toward your spouse.

That's when it's vitally important to clear the air as soon as possible so you can be in harmony with your spouse and get those loving feelings back.

2. Love should consistently feel the same way.

Feelings vary in intensity over time. It's just not possible to experience forever the ecstatic feelings that can be there when a relationship is new and you've just fallen in love. At that time, every sensation is ultra intense and heightened.

But the feelings associated with the initial or honeymoon period of every relationship eventually change. Love deepens and grows in different ways.

Of course, there are still wonderful highs, but there are other feelings in the cycle of love that you also experience--a rhythmic waning and waxing of desire, the enjoyment of companionship, and the comfortableness of knowing someone well and sharing a history together. Love has many faces and produces a variety of feelings during a marriage.

3. Your spouse should just "know" what you need without you having to tell him or her.

It's not unusual to feel that if your spouse really loved you, he or she would somehow be aware of your needs and desires without having to ask you. But in reality, most of us do rather poorly when we try to second guess someone else or try to "read their mind."

This particular assumption leads to many hurt feelings in a marriage. "He should have known that I wouldn't want to celebrate my birthday with his family." Or "She should have known that all I wanted from her was a little understanding and sympathy."

When this happens, spouses often erroneously conclude that their spouse must not love them or they would have been more tuned in to their wishes and needs. But the responsibility to let your spouse know what you need and want ultimately rests on you. Give your partner feedback and clues so he or she can have the information needed to make different choices.

4. If you really love each other, keeping a loving relationship shouldn't take much work.

I've heard this or statements similar to this numerous times. But the sobering reality is that relationships always take a lot of work.

It's a challenge to keep the communication channels clear of debris and residue from disagreements. It takes time and effort to follow up by checking with the other person to be sure that things aren't building up under the surface and that everything is truly okay now.

This process can be compared to housecleaning. You can clean the house one week, but by the next week it needs cleaning again. It's a constant cycle--the same is true in a marriage relationship. What you ignore doesn't just go away; it stays right where it is, waiting for more dust or debris to collect on top of it.

5. Being married lets you off the hook in the romance department and sets you up in the sex department.

This assumption has tripped many spouses up. As a counselor, many times I've heard the statement, "But I thought now that we're married, I didn't have to do all of that romantic stuff I used to do."

Often this is said when the marriage problems are already serious and the marriage is in crisis. It just makes good sense to take the offensive and make the effort to find ways to be romantic throughout your marriage. If you do, you'll be accumulating those "good will" bank deposits or "brownie points" that Lee likes to talk about.

And as for thinking that marriage assures you of unlimited great sex without any extra effort on your part, that's a fantasy. Emotional intimacy sets the stage for great sex and depends on good communication, plus a host of other qualities such as sensitivity and empathy, all of which take work.

6. Your spouse will speak up and tell you if he or she is unhappy in the marriage.

This is an assumption which has been the undoing of many marriages. The reality is that numerous spouses are uncomfortable with anger and are afraid that expressing it will damage the relationship. So they try to bury their feelings and pretend that everything is okay.

It pays to be observant and pay attention to your spouse's tone of voice and non-verbal communication. It also pays to learn to disagree without attacking each other and to be respectful even when you don't understand how your spouse could possibly have such odd ideas.

When you create a safe environment for discussing your real feelings, you increase the likelihood that your spouse will gain the courage to share from the heart with you. You can help this process by taking the lead in making yourself vulnerable by sharing your real feelings in a respectful way.

7. The commitment expressed in your wedding vows is enough to sustain your relationship.

The commitment you made to your spouse and marriage on your wedding day was certainly important--and it counts for a lot. But it's not enough.

It's all-too-easy to treat the marriage commitment as a one-time thing, when the reality is that a satisfying, healthy relationship requires daily commitment--over and over again, day by day. It's similar to what individuals do who are successful in 12-step programs for sobriety--they recommit to their sobriety each day.

The recovering alcoholic may say, "Just for today, I'm sober, with God's help." The spouse with a successful marriage makes a daily commitment, also, even if it's unspoken--"Today I will honor my marriage and be the best supportive partner I can be." It's that level of daily dedication and commitment that makes the difference in marriages that make it and those that don't.


 

 

 

Key West Weddings

Imagine getting married under a tropical sunset on the beach or aboard a sailboat. If you dive, you can charter a boat and take your vows underwater. There are several dive charter companies that will arrange the ceremony for you. A very popular spot is near Christ of the Deep. The statue of Christ lifting his arms to the heavens from beneath the waves is truly beautiful. Other popular spots include the Chapel By The Sea, Heritage House Museum/Robert Frost Cottage, The Gardens Hotel, Hemingway Home, Gecko's Garden and the Hog's Breath Writers Room.
 

Many places offer wedding packages that include the ceremony and reception, photography and music. A marriage license will cost around $88.50, no blood test is required, and there is no waiting period. This makes it a good spot for those who have not been able to plan very far in advance for their wedding. Make sure you do your hotel research before you go. See to it that there is enough room in one hotel for your wedding party. You may have to put down a deposit ahead of time to reserve the rooms.

Candy and Edible Wedding Favor Ideas

Don't underestimate the importance of wedding favors. They are the universal symbol of gratitude that the newly married couple extends to their guests. It is one of the most traditional aspects of the wedding - dating back many, many hundreds of years - extending thanks to your guests for sharing in your special day. Think about all the weddings you have attended, how would you feel if you did not receive a little "thank you" token of appreciation? The problem is, most guests expect favors - despite what some newer wedding articles might try to make you believe.

 

Your favors need not be expensive to convey a simple thank you. All your favors should do is be functional - something practical that people can use. How many times have you received a thank you gift only to place it on a shelf, or worse yet, tossed it in the trash, because you just did not know what to do with it. Unfortunately, some couples put very little thought into their wedding favors. Often it seems, that wedding favors are cast aside and treated as a last minute idea - leaving the puzzled wedding guests to scratch their heads and say, "What is this?"
 

Don't fall into the category of silly unconventional favors! Give your guests something that serves a purpose. Why not edible wedding favors? Most people love a sweet treat, and if it can be consumed - it most likely will be used! From simple to gourmet, edibles including candy, chocolates, cookies, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, honey and mints, will satisfy the most discriminating wedding guest - and are available in price ranges to fit any bridal budget.Some tips to keep in mind when deciding on edible or candy wedding favors:

* Chocolates need extra care, from shipping with ice packs during the summer months, to storage both in your home before the reception and at the catering facility for your reception. You don't want melted favors!

* Allergies: some people are allergic to chocolate, some people peanuts, others can't have sugar. You may want to offer two different types of favors, and have your wait staff distribute them, stating they have sugar free options available. (Also good for the low-carb dieter who may want to indulge!)

* Hard candies and mints make excellent choices, as they do not melt.

* Jellybeans are loved by both children and adults alike. With so many colors and flavors available you can even match them to your wedding colors!

* Don't forget about drinks as edible wedding favors. Coffee, cappuccino, tea, hot cocoa, cocktail mixes, honey - all are items which can be consumed and used. They require no refrigeration, are relatively inexpensive, can be personalized, and go wonderfully with a little edible treat!

* Cookies and miniature cakes - a small package of cookies (maybe even with a cookie cutter attached?) or a miniature cake they can take home - make delicious treats!

* Jordan almonds are a traditional and lovely token of gratitude.

Whatever you decide to give as an edible wedding favor you can be sure it will not leave your guests wondering what to do with them. You wedding favors will not go to waste; they will be enjoyed! You can decorate them as you please in pretty packaging - sure to match your wedding decor. It's the idea that your gift to your guests counts the most; that you took the time to think of them. If the wedding favor you give comes from the heart, it will leave a lasting impression and memory on your guests.

Wedding Photography - 6 Shots you Need in Your Photo Album

The Big Day This is the day you have been carefully planning for months, and a lot of preparation is involved. Have your wedding photographer on hand as you primp and the excitement steadily builds. These behind-the scenes-shots at the salon, your parents' house or dressing room will record the nervous joy and anticipation. This is the day; your wedding photography should capture the poignancy of these special moments. Black and white film works perfectly here.
 

The Dress You may only wear it once, but this gorgeous compilation of silk and lace is a work of art. Your wedding photographer should capture the masterpiece in all its glory. The perfect way to reveal its essence is to photograph it in its element. Hanging in a window in the dressing room with the sunlight pouring in, your dress will reveal its natural beauty.
 

Mom and Dad - Letting Go Your wedding is an emotional day for your parents. They feel a mixture of pride, joy and sadness. Their little girl/boy is all grown up and entering a new stage in life. Capture these emotions and conflicting feelings during the wedding ceremony and throughout the day. Especially make sure your photographer takes a shot of each of them as they focus on you during the ceremony. Even though you won't be watching them as you exchange "I Dos;" these precious images will capture the full force of their emotions.

Just Married On this busy day, there may be only a few moments when the two of you can steal away and spend time together. But just after you are pronounced "man and wife," the two of you will just have each other. Married at last! Your wedding photographer should not miss those first few moments as a married couple. Try to give yourself a few minutes alone after the ceremony to relax and reflect the significance of the occasion. You will cherish these photos in your wedding album.

Candid Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Your girlfriends. You have laughed together and cried together and shared the gauntlet of emotions together. The images from your wedding day should reflect that special bond that only the best of girlfriends can share. While the line of bridesmaids is a good shot to have in your album, you should capture some more creative photography shots for your photo album. Make sure some of your shots reveal the vibrant personalities of you and your girls. Have your photographer capture the giggles, the private whispers and the carefree hugs and exclamations, for this is the true essence of your friendships. And don't forget the boys; get some creative shots of the groomsmen too!

Away into The Sunset Get a parting shot of the two of you walking towards your "ever after." One of my favorite versions of this shot: the two of you photographed from a distance, looking towards the horizon. Your new life starts here; the sky is the limit!

Honeymoon Heaven

Every last penny is spent on lavish venues, hand-tied bouquets, opulent dress fabrics, extravagant menus, state of the art discos, novel favours and award-winning photographers. But, when it comes to splashing out on the holiday of a lifetime - your first as man and wife packed with lots of guilt free indulgences - why do you feel the need to compromise?! It seems as though wedding guests are treated like royalty leaving the happy couple to start their married life as paupers. There's plenty of time for being penniless later - like when you've got 6 kids to feed and a hefty mortgage!
 

The honeymoon is such a vital part of a wedding celebration and the perfect end to all the excitement and build up of the big day. But, it's also the start of something special. It's the beginning of your marriage and therefore should be marked with a wonderful holiday. Saving money by not having a proper honeymoon will always be regretted. Make cutbacks everywhere else - give your guests chicken rather than caviar and they probably won't even notice - but don't scrimp on the holiday! Pack your groom off to the nearest travel agents and make sure you both get the honeymoon you deserve. You can then buy your 'Just Married' Rhinestone Bikini and relish every moment of twinkling by the sea!

Make Weight Loss a reality with Diet Pills

Make Weight Loss a reality with Diet Pills

 

One mesmerizing look and they would do any thing for me - beg, borrow, steal. All other women of my age were simply the competition. I detested them and they did likewise. We only collaborated if we had some mutual gain.

They detested me more when I won the prom queen award for three years in a row. I was never attracted to men, who were the rugged football types. I wanted men who smelled of big money. I consistently dated wealthy heirs. They provided what I craved for the most - The best clothes, the ideal homes and jewellery, the more upscale and the more famous the designer, the better.
 

So, I somehow managed to get through high school and used my wealthy contacts to get into a wealthy Swiss finishing school. My parents were assured by the school, that when I graduate out - I would be in great demand. I would be snapped up to the marital altar by the first eligible handsome millionaire. Was that a dream or perhaps ? Finishing school was a blur. They had a strict regimen for diet and exercise. Our every gesture was critically analysed to the point that even if I moved my head, that was frowned . We were supposed to breathe, walk, talk and even sleep in a particular way. Body odour was supposedly non-existent and all talk was meant for only one thing - for climbing the social ladder. I thought I would love it, but soon saw through it all. Life in this charmed circle was a fake. Everyone had their own little pert perversion and understandably so - the so called high life was extremely boring.
 

But, the school lived up to it's promise. It had a clear role in providing the ageing wealthy men of Europe with beautiful brides. The school organized the official goodbye in the form of a coming of age "Ball". I was charmed when, we were told that it would be held in Vienna, Austria. So we traveled to Vienna. Personally I loved the city and even more so when I met Alexander von Scheller., charming , handsome aristocrat and most importantly an eligible bachelor, a scion of Viennese society.
 

I was simply swept off my feet as the Viennese Waltz commenced. Alexander was everything I wanted - handsome, stable, mature and most importantly wealthy. That summer was to be the greatest summer of my life. Alexander invited me to stay at his beautiful villa in the heart of old Vienna. Within 2 months to the strains of the music of Mozart, he proposed. I did not think, I accepted without a moment's delay. He was 48 and I was 18. innocent, naïve and foolishly romantic. Our wedding would be the talk of town.
 

Married life was initially satisfying then it settled into a kind of monotonous humdrum. Life was shopping , cooking and cleaning and lots of gardening. I was soon as good as a professional gardener. Alexander was constantly away at work. He supposedly had a lot of business interests, I realized the truth only when the first pregnant business interest found her way to our house. He had a long line of girlfriends. That's when I realized that men true to character are completely polygamous. I soon lost my naivety and quickly can back to reality... and reality really bites. I packed all my things and took the first flight to London. As I wept through the flight, and could not stop even as my parents and friends consoled me. That is when I began to bloat. I was miserable throughout - I simply ate and ate and cried. It never occurred to me that I needed treatment for this depression. The months simply flew past and it was soon one year after my flight back. Alexander had not even called to check on me. I had expected him to call, woo me back with all kinds of promises, but he did not seem to care. When I saw him on the tabloid pages of "Sun", a young starling on the arm, that I realized what a waist my anguish was.

 

So, I picked up the meaty pieces of my body and decided to move on . I had gained 30 kg in just one year. I just somehow managed to get myself a job and decided that I would stand on my own two feet. With three months salary, enough downpayment for renting a small apartment, I moved out to live on my own. And, that's when the Godzilla episode happened. I wowed to teach these brats a lesson - I would lose weight and lose it fast and then they would only "gawk". So I began to diet. I decide to stick to a systematic diet regimen that gave me all the vital nutrients and yet at the same time ensured that I stuck to my weight target. My target was simple.I was going to go in for a weight loss of 1 kg per month. Easier said than done. I managed to lose 1 kg in the first month. I lost ½ kg in the second month . That when I decided to add a strong dose of aerobics to my weight loss plan. I went in for an hour of aerobics in the evening. That ensured that I lost 2 kg in the next month. But all this aerobics made me very hungry, I soon began to falter on my diet regimen.

That's when a friend suggested that I try diet pills. I had heard a lot about the so called side-effects of diet pills and was very wary of consuming them without medical supervision. That when I came across an article on safe prescription diet pills. The article ignited my mind and I decide to consult an appropriate dietician who prescribed safe diet pills for me. These pills were truly the best diet pills in the world. There were hardly any side-effects and I rarely felt hungry. I soon lost weight more rapidly and today after 2 years , I have lost 20 kg and gained a lot in terms of health and self-esteem. Today I get propositioned every second day by handsome men who think I look good. I still feel that I have a long way to go before I get back to my old "sexy" self, but life has changed beyond measure. Diet pills have made weight loss a reality for me. They can also do the same for you. Add them to your weight loss regimen today.