Wedding Timmins

from:http://m.jsonline.com/sponsoredarticles/bridal/the-dos-and-donts-of-wedding-correspondence8059641421-151363425.html

One of the biggest wedding trends of recent years has been taking a more casual, less buttoned-up approach to the big day. From looser dress codes to skipping seated dinners in favor of passed hors d’oeuvres, brides and grooms have shifted the focus away from tradition to customization.

The ultimate goal is a wedding that is perfectly “you,” expressing your identity as a couple. But even if you plan to buck the old ways, there are some guidelines you’ll want to follow when it comes to your wedding stationery. While the rules of wedding correspondence may be long-standing, there’s a good reason for that.

Most of these rules will make the lives of both you and your guests easier. So, by observing them, you’ll be doing everyone a favor and setting the scene for a perfect day. From the moment you get engaged and start planning your wedding, keep these correspondence tips in mind.

Don’t: Leave guests guessing about the date.
Do: Send out save-the-date notices well in advance – about four to six months ahead will do for most weddings. If you’re planning a destination wedding, give guests even more leeway, even up to a year’s notice. By getting the word out ahead of time, you’ll give guests a better chance to plan – and more will be there to celebrate with you.

Don’t: Create confusion about who’s invited.
Do: Fill out invitations with only the names of those who are invited. If you’re having an adults-only ceremony, skip writing “and family” or children’s names. If you’re open to one of your unmarried guests bringing a date, add “and guest,” but simply using your friend’s name alone is a subtle way to say “just you.” This helps you keep your attendance count in check, which is important when you’re giving numbers to caterers and other wedding services.

Don’t: Underestimate the time commitment for correspondence.
Do: Think you’ll have time to write every single thing in your own beautiful flourish? You might want to think again. Using unique wedding address labels saves you hand pain and time, which is a precious commodity as you get ready for the big event. Pick out a font that matches your invitations and other correspondence if you want a more unified theme. You’ll also be able to use them for your thank you notes, which should, by the way, be hand written to show your guests you care.

Don’t: Let mistakes sneak through.
Do: Check your invitations, save the dates, address labels – everything – once, twice and then again to make sure that the essential information is right. While a spelling error is cringe-worthy, what you really want to avoid is an error that gives people the wrong times, addresses or name spellings. It often helps to ask someone who hasn’t looked at the invitation 20 times to help you out – see if you can get a co-worker or friend to proofread.

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Choosing an engagement ring or wedding bands can be a daunting decision.

Engagement ring bands are almost exclusively white metals, either white gold or platinum. As for the diamonds, the most popular are round and princess cuts are popular, while the fancier shapes, such as emerald, cushion, asscher, and marquee cuts are far less trendy in 2012, according to Sean Duggan, the assistant manager at Hannoush Jewelers in Farmington.

Antique settings are in, and so are having small round stones around the center diamond or around the band, according to Duggan. The look is called micro-pav?, and can have anywhere between 50 and 140 small diamonds built into the setting.

Couple are no longer necessarily matching their wedding bands either, Duggan said. Brides are matching their wedding bands to their engagement rings instead. Grooms are buying outside the box, choosing alternative metals like cobalt, titanium, and tungsten carbide.

Jewelry stores are also seeing grooms bring their future father-in-law, future mother-in-law, or the bride-to-be’s sister along for the engagement ring shopping, according to Duggan.

from: http://www.metrowny.com/news/439-Planning_your_wedding_dresses,_desserts,_and…

The hardest thing under the sun is finding true love, a soul mate to spend all your years with. If this feat has been accomplished, and you are hopelessly devoted to your significant other, the rest should be easy.

But planning a wedding is indeed a daunting task. There’s the cake to consider, guest list, countless dresses to try on in front of your teary-eyed mother, and oh yeah, your fiancé. So here it is, straight from the Metro Source – an easy-to-navigate guide for your walk down the aisle.

The Beginning Stages

What you have going on at your wedding and reception depends on your budget, so first make a list of how much money you want to drop on your big day. Prioritize everything you need, then add additional wants based on your budget. Remember: there is no need to bankrupt yourself for one day. A marriage should be lasting, and the extravagance of one day will not make-or-break the rest of your lives together.

For example, if lasting professional images of your wedding are your top priority, invest in a top-notch photographer, but don’t do the same for things that don’t matter as much. Dresses can be checked out at bridal shows and purchased at reduced prices. They can be customized for a fraction of what a tailor-made gown would be, for uniqueness and flair. Invitations can also be purchased in bulk from sites like ElegantBridalInvitations.com, which even allows you to design your own invites for about 23 cents per card.

Say Yes to the Dress

For the fashion-forward fiancés out there, the 2012 wedding gown trends are here. If you are sticking to the traditional all-white theme, feathered accents on trains and stunning one-shouldered looks add a magical Swan Lake element.

However, did you know that blue is the traditional color of purity and virginity? The Virgin Mary, in all symbolic representations, dons blue. Veil designs are also veering into creative and unconventional territory. Put your own spin on your wedding attire, and remember – your bridesmaids are people, too, and deserve to look their best. Different body types are flattered by different styles. A universal dress color keeps bridesmaids all together, but different styles can have each one look their best while staying true to your theme. The little black dress is a major trend for bridesmaids in 2012.

Let Them Eat Cake

The look and flavor of your cake should embody the spirit of the season in which your wedding takes place. Are you having a mystical summertime Midsummer Night’s Dream affair? Try something nature-inspired, like a confection with white frosting with green, purple, or pink flowers and vines down the tiers. For autumn, robust chocolate hues would summon the warmth and spice of the season.

Entertainment Value
A wedding is no good if your guests are stifling yawns. You don’t have to be rolling in dough like Kim Kardashian to have a spectacularly-fun wedding event. You can rent a photo booth, where you and your guests can hop in and snap some candid pictures, and make for an innovative way to remember the night.

First, pick a venue and theme that speaks to your personal style and the mood you want to evoke. There will be a big difference if you rent out a fancy ballroom than if you have it in Grandpa Henry’s barn. A tip to keep in mind is – just don’t over-think things! Classic never goes out of style.

Sensual touches can be added – like offering lattes and espresso in whimsical china teacups towards the end of the evening. For most midnight revelers, music is important, so whether you book a DJ or live band, a personal touch never hurt. This reporter (always a bridesmaid and never a bride!) is so sick of doing the “Electric Slide.”

Ways to Save Without Suffering

There are ways to save money while planning your wedding, regardless of your budget. Consider eliminating the “plus one” from wedding invites for those who are not currently in relationships. You also do not need to invite every distant relative or colleague. And, while a dry wedding reception is not that popular of an option, limiting the choices to wine and beer could save hundreds, and also rule of the possibility of unruly, intoxicated guests.

It’s A Nice Day For a White Wedding

While envisioning the big picture, the big day, and the ultimate glamorous affair, it’s easy to neglect the small details, which are necessary for everything to run as smooth as silk. You have made your list, checked it twice, blacklisted those who are naughty, invite who is nice…and it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty.

Being detail-oriented is a true talent, and sometimes a wedding planner is brought in to tie up loose ends. It’s the little thoughtful whispers, rather than giant shouts, people recall favorably. Your table settings and flower arrangements have the power to make guests feel…however you want them to feel! The colors and scents can act like a sensory treat.

Monochromatic bouquets are modern and bold. Play around with colors and don’t be afraid to make a statement with the centerpiece. It is something people will be subconsciously seeing all night. A perfectly-laid table can become a work of art in the right hands, so pay attention to the small details which draw elements together. Stationary is also a personal way to inspire and impress, so make your invitations and thank-you cards speak to your taste.

Eco-friendly paper? The trendy spring hues of coral and mint green? Why not! While planning something as big as your wedding may never feel complete until you are actually married, try and enjoy the process. Then, you can eventually be sipping a cocktail on your honeymoon and looking forward to Happily Ever After.

Congratulations to all the brides and grooms of Buffalo. Some helpful Web sites: OneWed.com: features green and DIY pointers, plus forums for open discussion.

Buffalobrides.com: learn about local vendors and read the “Ask Jen” advice column for Buffalo brides-to-be. Brides.com: A glamorous guide with lots of style editorials.