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Use Wedding and Party Network’s Wedding Tips to assist you in finding answers to the "when and how" questions of planning a wedding. Have you thought about when to consult a florist or what the current wedding trend is? Everything from "how to cut a cake with fondant" to "who should walk the bride down the isle" can be found in Wedding Tips. View our Wedding Tips and remember to check back often; we are always updating our site with the latest tips to keep your wedding on the road to happiness. "Been Then – Done That" Share your wedding tips.

Feb
07
2012
by Kelly Curtis

When hiring a wedding or even party videographer, you want to make sure they are professional and capture every little special moment. It's important that they know what to look for and to know what questions to ask them. Videographers are important on your special day. They capture everything on video and make your life easier in not having to worry about setting up a video camera and who is going to record everything. Wedding and Party Network has a few tips on what to ask your videographer before hiring them for your special occasion.

Pricing – Of course, the first thing that comes to your mind is pricing. It's important to know the price to decide if it will fit into your wedding budget. Some offer different packages that include editing, production and how many hours they film. Also remember, the more money you spend usually means better quality.

Style – Every videographer has their own style. So, make sure it matches yours. They may film it in a certain way, only capture certain events, add dramatic effects or just keep it simple with some music. Remember to take a look at their earlier works to make sure you will be satisfied with the outcome of your wedding video or party video.

Equipment – Next, ask them if they have professional equipment. You don't want someone running around with a little flip camera or a video camera that you have yourself. You want someone with professional sound equipment and video to capture your whole day on camera. Ask about the lighting, microphone, sound equipment and high-definition vs. standard definition.

Qualifications – Check out their qualifications. They should almost present themselves as if they are going to a job interview for hire. Make sure they have the proper techniques, how long they have been in business and check out their references.

It's important to have a professional videographer on your wedding day that fits within your wedding or party budget, style and have the right equipment to capture your day.

This post is brought to you by San Diego Wedding Videographer.
Not in San Diego, CA? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a wedding videographer near you!

Jan
03
2012
by Kelly Curtis

Are you thinking about proposing? If you are, you already know that you want to find the perfect proposal idea. You want to share your story with family and friends and get that "awww" response. The proposal should represent you as a couple. However, how do you even propose and live up to the expectation that it should be perfect? Base it on your relationship and the personality to capture you as a couple. Wedding and Party Network has some proposal tips that will help you plan the ideal proposal.

Food Lovers – If you guys are food connoisseurs, there are great ways to incorporate this into your wedding proposal. Of course, you can take her to your favorite restaurant or the restaurant where you shared your very first date. However, take it up a notch by having the chef display the ring if the middle of desserts or appetizers and write, "Will you marry me?" in the center of it all.

Plan a whole day out and about, beforehand, contact your local bakery and ask them to create a cake for the occasion with that and the ring displayed in the front window. So, at the end of the day, suggest getting a sweet treat to end the day and there she will see it. You can also plan it indoors and create a gift basket with the finest foods or your favorite and place the ring inside of it. Each are very sweet, and if you guys enjoy food, then these are perfect!

Tech Savvy - Maybe you both enjoy staying on trend with the latest technologies. Therefore, incorporate this into your proposal. Create a personalized podcast, upload a proposal video on YouTube, take her digital camera and take separate pictures for will, you, marry and me, create a text message scavenger hunt or create your on computer game or even web page that displays in detail your relationship, how much you love her and of course, asking her to marry you.

One For The Dramatics – Do you both enjoy being the center of attention or just living in the moment and going all out within everything you do? Plan a public proposal. If you are both theater lovers, get in contact with the stage manager and ask if you could propose during curtain call. Create a full-page newspaper add, create a flash mob proposal, propose on or in an airport/airplane or just go to your favorite location and propose.

Take It Indoors – However, maybe you guys enjoy spending time together and indoors. You're more low-key. Plan the perfect proposal at her home. Slip the ring on her finger while she's sleeping, plan a scavenger hunt around the house or make it one big surprise when she gets home from work.

Entertainment Lovers – Are you around the television around a certain time waiting for a show to come on or being the first in line to check out the latest movie? Plan a proposal at the movie theaters. Movies have ads now that are played before the movie starts that businesses can purchase, so propose to her with a movie ad. You can even place the ring in the popcorn tub. Whatever you like, a proposal at the movies is great for the entertainment lover.

There are so many ideas out there to use when you propose, you just have to think outside-the-box and make sure it fits their personality. Your definitely guaranteed a yes!

This post is brought to you by Salt Lake City Wedding Accessories.
Not in Salt Lake City, UT? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding accessories near you!

Dec
28
2011
by Kelly Curtis

Are you wanting to plan a special vow renewal service to celebrate an anniversary or just because? Are you unsure on where to start on what's to be included in this type of ceremony? It is truly an important occasion, celebrating your years of marriage and just being with one another. Wedding and Party Network has some tips on renewing your vows and how to plan from start to finish. This ceremony will be as special as your first.

First off, why renew? Of course, to celebrate your marriage. You may celebrate a 10 year marriage or just want to re-affirm your commitment. Whatever the occasion, it's a great idea to renew your vows.

When planning your wedding, the bride's family normally pays for most of it. So, who pays for your vow renewals. You do. There's really no rules or regulations to follow since it's not a legally binding ceremony. It's a nice gesture if a close friend hosts, however, traditionally you do. Make it what you want. Plan it outdoors, a destination ceremony or host it in your local worship center. This is your special day and it's all about celebrating your love. Plan it simple and make it about celebrating your marriage.

So, what happens during this ceremony? Basically you exchange vows and re-commit your love for one another. Use the same vows or make up your own that displays what you've been through in the past couple years and how you've grown as a couple. Exchange rings. This can be wedding rings that are engraved or simple bands. You can even have your children, close friends, family members or anyone else you may like to do special readings. Don't forget, you can just make the ceremony for just the two of you on a honeymoon you never got to take.

Now, it's time to celebrate. This joyous occasion is great when shared with friends or family members. In fact, plan a whole vacation around it so you can share it with everyone. Have a nice dinner with everyone, dance the night away and even eat wedding cake. Anything goes with this reception! The main key is to just have fun with it and celebrate what this means to you.

This post is brought to you by Orlando Wedding Planners.
Not in Orlando, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a wedding planner near you!

Dec
06
2011
by Kelly Curtis

Are you recently engaged? However, are you opting out on the planning a big wedding and being stressed the entire time? Are you going with a more intimate wedding at a fabulous destination? A destination wedding is great if you're wanting a more intimate place, plus the fact that it's at a beautiful site is a plus. It serves as your destination wedding and honeymoon. However, what can you expect when planning a destination wedding? Well, Wedding and Party Network is here to provide you with a few tips and what you can expect when planning your destination wedding.

Research – First thing is first, research your location. Research out different locations in the area, resorts, all-inclusive resorts, wedding laws, costs, flights, hotels and everything in between. Along with planning a wedding in your area, there are certain pre-planning steps for your destination wedding. The best thing way is to research online or visit with a travel agency that specializes in destination weddings. They will help answer all your questions.

Choose According To You -There are so many places out there, that you must find a place that is suitable for you. The beach, mountains, lake or even your favorite amusement park; these are all locations for your dream wedding. Find the perfect location for what fits your dream wedding and personality.

Combine – You can save money by combining items together. Mainly, combine the wedding and honeymoon together. Normally, when you plan your destination wedding, you are planning at a tropical location or one of your favorite getaways, which makes it a great honeymoon too.

Weather - Don't forget to research the weather. Not everyone shares the same weather during your time of the year. It could be cold in your area, but warm in the area you plan on getting married or it could be warm in your area, but cold in your ceremony site. Make sure to do your research on temperatures, seasons, tornado or even hurricane seasons.

Wedding Laws -If you're planning a wedding out of country, don't forget to research their wedding law. You'll need to know what paperwork you need like, immunization, blood work, marriage license, residency requirements and witnesses. Different countries need different requirements.

Considerate of Guests – Of course, having an out-of-town wedding is more expensive for your guests. Be understanding if your guests aren't able to make it. However, if they are, make sure you go out of your way to provide in depth lodging and transportation. Even create out-of-town gift sets for them with personal necessities, candy and whatever else you may associate with your wedding.

Use A Consultant - If you're unsure about planning a destination wedding, hire a wedding consultant or visit your local travel agency. They'll be more knowledgeable in what you need and know the best vendors in the area.

Just Go With It - Of course with every wedding, nothing will go as planned. So, don't stress, relax and enjoy it!

This post is brought to you by Destination & Honeymoon Locations
Use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a destination & honeymoon location near you!

Nov
08
2011
by Kelly Curtis

You are planning a wedding! That's wonderful! It's one of the most important days of your life! Have you started planning, and most importantly have you decided what type of wedding gown style you will go with? A girl dreams about her wedding dress since she was a little girl. It's one of the most important details to her. However, it's not just about the dress. The accessories complete your wedding day look. From the shoes, jewelry to the veil; it's all important. The veil is especially important. How do you choose though with so many types of wedding veils? Well, Wedding and Party Network has your wedding veil guide.

Blusher -This type of veil is short in length and made with only one layer of material. The blusher veil covers the face prior to the ceremony, used to hide the face from the groom. It pairs nice with any type of wedding gown.

Bouffant -A bouffant wedding veil is a shorter veil that touches the shoulders of the bride. This type of wedding veil was popular in the 60's and great for shorter haircuts, which makes it suitable for simple wedding gowns, even short.

Flyaway -The flyaway veil is less formal than chapel and cathedral, which is made from several layers of material. It is shorter and is made for more simple gowns.

Mantilla – Mantilla wedding veils are not gathered at all. They are large flat circles or ovals, which are great for Spanish inspired wedding gowns or traditional gowns. The sheerness of this veil helps the wedding gown in the back show through.

Ballerina or Waltz – A wedding veil that can be referred as both features material, such as tulle, that falls between the bride's knees and her ankles.

Shoulder -This type of wedding veil hits right at the shoulders. This type of veil is for simple gowns. However, can be made with multiple layers.

Elbow -The elbow wedding veil falls right to the elbow in length. It can also have one or two layers, which two layers make it stand up more. When choosing this wedding veil, make sure that your wedding dress is longer rather than a shorter one.

Waist - A wedding veil that hits at the bride's waist. Can be made with multiple layers and is for any type of gown, whether it be simple or more formal.

Fingertip - A fingertip styled veil is exactly what you're thinking. It's a veil that reaches to the fingertips. This style can work with a lot of different styled wedding gowns. Casual, modern to formal wedding gowns; a fingertip veil can work.

Knee -The knee-length wedding gown is just how it sounds, it hits at the knee. It can have multiple layers and is great for any style of wedding gown.

Chapel -This isn't quite as long as the cathedral wedding veil (below). It's 2 1/2 years from the headpiece to the end. This reaches the ground, however, doesn't drag behind. Great for a formal type wedding.

Royal or Cathedral – This wedding veil is one of the most formal veils out of all of them. It measures 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece to the bottom edge. It allows for a flowing effect on the ground. This type of veil is great for very formal weddings, hence the name royal.

There are so many type of wedding veils out there, from shorter to longer lengths and from single layers to multiple layers. It's all about what you love and showcasing your wedding day style.


This post is brought to you by Houston Formal Wear Shop.
Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a formal wear shops near you.

Oct
20
2011
by Kelly Curtis

It's your big day! After all the planning and stress that you've gone through, it's time to celebrate your special day and cherish it always. Well, the best way to do that, of course, is with your wedding photos. You want your pictures to be flawless and to capture your special day perfectly. With the help of a great photographer and a few wedding posing tips, your pictures will stand out. So, Wedding and Party Network has some tips for posing for your pictures.

Relax – First off, relax. Some people maybe uncomfortable in front of a camera, and they definitely can show through. It's your wedding day! You should be relaxed and ready to go and this should show through in your pictures.

Chin Down -When posing for your pictures, remember to tilt your chin down just a bit. People intuitively lift their chin, maybe to avoid the dreaded double chin, however, tilt your chin down where you normally hold it. It's more flattering.

Stand Tall – How many times have we heard, stand up straight, don't slouch? Too many times. However, they were right! Standing tall provides a sense of confidence in your photos. When someone is slouching in their photos, you notice it. When someone stands tall, you're just thinking to yourself how great their photo turned out. Stand up, hold your shoulders back slightly and tip your hips forward a touch and you'll be standing tall.

Angles – Don't forget to play with angles. Don't face the camera head on, you may notice that in a lot of advertising photos or modeling pictures. It's more flattering to stand at an angle and have one shoulder closer to the camera. Place one foot forward, turn your other foot to the side, which will give you an angular shape.

Practice Makes Perfect - Don't think you look silly posing in front of the mirror, practice makes perfect. Pose in front of the mirror. Learn what angles work best for you and facial expressions.

Of course, ask your wedding photographer for some pointers. They know what works best and what doesn't since photography is their job. They'll also be glad to give you direction the day of and come up with some great poses that will make your wedding day unforgettable throughout your wedding pictures.

This post is brought to you by Austin Wedding Photographer.
Not in Austin, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a wedding photographer near you!

Every Friday, Wedding and Party Network will be choosing a theme or color and give you inspirational photos. So, our inspirational board will give everyone inspiration on wedding cake toppers! Wedding cake toppers represent your wedding and show off your personality. Plus, there are so many & creative things to add on top of your wedding cake. Here are some fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Not all cakes are created equal. There are no rules to follow when creating your unique wedding cake. Yes, you want your cake to be unique and special – just like you!  Generally speaking, you should order your wedding cake 4 – 6 months in advance and take your time when shopping  for the perfect baker. There are many aspects to consider before making your final decision. Your wedding cake is the centerpiece of your reception. So, make sure it screams out who you are and have fun with it. Your cake can be loud and bright, or soft and elegant.

 When you are designing your wedding cake you will decide on the design, size and number of tiers, the flavor and filling, type of frosting, accents and details and finally the topper. If you decide on a more traditional and elegant style and design for your cake, you can still have a creative and edgy personalized topper. Why not put a touch of humor, spunk or creativity on top?

Special thank you to ann ruthmann, newwavegurly, la mia cuncina, MINInurse, RG photo, -lou-, tedsblog, dollie_mixture, and lilfatdog for their inspirational pictures via Flickr.

Every Friday, Wedding and Party Network will be choosing a theme or color and give you inspirational photos. We want to help give you inspiration for your next event, wedding or party. So, take a look and we hope to give you a bit of inspiration when planning your wedding or party. Our inspirational board will give everyone inspiration on wedding gowns! 2011 wedding gowns have taken a turn for the botanical gardens. Capturing the delicateness of the flower petals and elegance of chiffon in every detail, fall 2011 wedding gowns are truly blooming!

Between Vera Wang, Prina Tornai, Rivini, Watters & Watters and more, the fall 2011 wedding gown catwalks were covered in blooms, blossoms and buds, over-sized cabbage roses, silk petals and lace. Each dress taking a new spin on the essence of flowers. Not only is the bride carrying flowers, but now she is wearing them in an elegant and romantic new way. The look for fall 2011 is  form-fitting bodices, defined waists and voluptuous skirts. Tulle, chiffon, light weight taffeta and organza flow seamlessly down the bodice of each gown. The look is airy, sheer and delicate with special attention to details.

Another big influence on the cat walk is chic head wear. Brides are clad in sparkling tiaras, headbands with super-sized chiffon flowers, half veils and eccentric hats. A vintage shape with luxe textures such as lace, feathers, and beads hug the brides curves as they seem to float down the aisle. Now, it's your turn to embrace the beauty and elegance of this Fall fashion trend with your very own botanical inspired wedding gown.

Thank you to Absolute Haven The Bridal Boutique, andyleophotography and lee ann belter bridal for their inspirational photos via flower shop network and flickr.

Sep
12
2011
by Kelly Curtis

Do you want to make your wedding ceremony truly special & unique? How about writing your own wedding vows? Yes, writing your own wedding vows can add something truly unique to your wedding ceremony and makes it special. However, writing your own vows is definitely a hard feat. Not everyone is poetic and has a way with words. So, Wedding and Party Network has some tips for writing the perfect wedding vows.

Theme Of Your Vows - The first step is to decide on the theme and topic of your wedding vows. Of course, the first thing that pops into your head is being romantic. Yes, you want it to be romantic, however, your wedding vows should represent you. Write your vows to describe your relationship and has meaning to it. Will your theme be one of a true romantic or add some unique flair to it to represent your style?

Imagine what everyone else would say about your relationship, such as, if there was an article written about you or how your friends and family describe your relationship. This can help with a starting point for your vows.

Quiet Time -Give yourself time to relax and really think through your wedding vows. Think through what you're writing and what your relationship means to you. You want to say what you feel and make it personal.

Topic -Now that your head is clear, focus on the topic of your vows. Why do you love the one you are marrying? There is something that draws you to your significant other and why you love them the way you do. Therefore, that is your topic. Let your topic focus on why you love them.

Styling -Now that you have the direction you're going in, think about how you're going to style your vows. You can go with traditional or modern form of writing. Pick what is best suited for you and the words that you've chosen for your wedding vows.

The main key is to make your wedding vows meaningful, personal and represent you. You want these to show exactly how you feel about your relationship and why you love them.

This post is brought to you by Irvine Wedding Locations.
Not in Irvine, CA? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding locations near you!

Children, oh how sweet they are… They are energetic and full of fun, outspoken and unpredictable, full of laughter, innocence and great charisma. You just can't beat the spontaneous happiness of youth. Having a child or children in your wedding party sounds like a great idea – they bring charm and a feeling of innocence to the ceremony. Your flower girl and ring bearer mirror the bride and groom and make a delightful addition to the wedding celebration.

Who doesn't love a well-behaved, all dolled up youngster walking down the aisle like a pro?

Who doesn't love the giggles, ooo's and awes coming from the pews as they sprinkle flower petals and carry the wedding rings to the altar? Let's face it, kids are really cute and quite entertaining!

And who can resist the sweet flower girl as she smiles and shrugs her shoulders before she dumps out the flower petals into a big pile and then kicks them as she screams for her mom? Or once she gets up the altar with tears in her eyes, and starts taking off her itchy dress and too tight hair? How about the ring bearer spinning in circles and sticking out his tongue while he tosses the pillow up and down? Can we say potty? A sudden urge to use the bathroom mid-ceremony will definitely bring on the 'potty dance'. But, hey, we wanted entertainment right?

Here are a few things to consider before sending the little ones down the aisle:

When it comes to a day in the life of a child, tears are as frequent as smiles. So taking that into consideration, you have a 50-50 chance of a meltdown. Tantrums, tears and even fights are quite common among 60% of weddings that include children in their wedding parties. So, there are a few things you should do…

  • If possible, try to use children who are at least 5 years old – the maturity levels between a 4 and 5-year-olds are quite significant.
  • Make sure they get to bed early or take their afternoon nap – they need to be fully rested.
  • Avoid uncomfortable flower girl dresses and suits. Dress the children right before the ceremony begins.
  • Keep the hair styles simple – children often don't have enough patience to sit for longer than a few minutes to get ready.
  • Keep activities or videos on hand for the time they are waiting before the ceremony begins.
  • Keep snacks and drinks readily available.
  • Have a guardian or parent ready to swoop in and remove the child from the ceremony if things start to go bad.
  • Praise the children in the wedding party for their effort and good work.
  • Practice, practice, practice! Make sure that the flower girl and the ring bearer practice their duties for a few days, if not weeks before the rehearsal and ceremony. Doing this will help them feel more comfortable for the big day.

Keeping these tips in mind when planning your wedding – will help from turning your dream wedding into a nightmare.

This post is brought to you by Austin Wedding Photographers.
Not in Austin, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a wedding planner near you!

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