Running behind on finding the perfect Valentine's Day gift? Need some last-minute ideas? Wedding and Party Network has our top picks for last-minute Valentine's Day Gifts that are sure to please no mater who is on the receiving end.

Candy, Flowers & Jewelry – You never can go wrong with these items. These are all still popular gifts that you can find almost anywhere you go. They offer tons of unique chocolate, like spicy chocolate or organic chocolate. So, skip the box of chocolates and go with something unique and flavorful that they'll enjoy. This goes for the same for flowers and jewelry. Find something that matches their personality, instead of the regular roses and tennis bracelet.

Wine, Dinner & A Movie – Get a bottle of nice wine, make dinner from scratch or order your favorite take out and rent a movie. It's a great, low-key night in and is nice since you won't have to fight the crowds out at the restaurants or try to find a last-minute dinner reservation. It's much more special and intimate.

Photos – Finding the perfect picture for a gift is always a great way to go. You can create a scrapbook of your most memorable times together or have your favorite picture blown up into a canvas or placed into a frame. Photos are always a wonderful gift and they never fail at making that recipient smile.

Make A Day Trip – If you share a special location that you both enjoy to go to, plan a little trip. It's a great time to get away and can easily be planned last-minute. It could be your favorite park, mountain top or even amusement park, just pack a little lunch and head out for the day,just the two of you.

There are lots of great ideas out there for Valentine's Day, even if it is a last-minute gift. You just have to get creative and think outside-the-box. Make sure to match the gift with their personality and style and they're sure to love it!

If you are planning a Valentine's Day party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Flowers & Quotes – A Great Combination For Valentine's Day
Not a clue on what to do for Valentine's Day? It can be a stressful time trying to come up with the perfect gift for your sweetheart. However, it doesn't have to be so stressful. Wedding and Party Network has came up with the perfect combination for Valentine's Day. Read more about Flowers & Quotes

Rockin' Valentine's Day Party
The holidays are over, so what's next? Time for a breather or you can go ahead and start planning a rockin' Valentine's Day party! Planning a Valentine's Day party is stressful. You may be unsure on what direction to take with your party, such as, you may want to get away from all the love and romance and just make it fun. Read more About A Rockin' Valentine's Day

Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Catering Creations By CruLaRo), Bed Of Roses (Flowers Plus), Balloon Heart Column (Crossroads Florist), Candy Buffet (The Chocolate Chick Company), Pink & White Table Setting (La Petite Jaune Fleur), Heart Portrait (Shannon Kaye Photography), Pink Floral Arrangement (Waterbrook Florist),

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

Are you in the process of planning out your Thanksgiving dinner? It can be stressful, especially if you're hosting the whole family at your house. You want this day to be about family and sharing everlasting memories together. Therefore, in your mind, everything should be perfect. However, don't stress over this day. Wedding and Party Network has some stress free planning tips for hosting your Thanksgiving dinner.

Plan Ahead – This is a MAJOR part when hosting a Thanksgiving feast. Sit down and write out who's coming. That way, you know how much food to prepare, and how many place settings you need at the table.

• Planning The Grocery List – Once you know how many people are attending, you will know exactly what to cook and how much. You can stay away from certain dishes if someone doesn't like a particular item or if they're allergic, and be sure to prepare all their favorites. Once you have a menu, you can plan your grocery list.
• Cooking – Once you have the menu planned out, you can create a timeline of cooking. Not all dishes have to be prepared that same day, some can be prepared the day before. So, plan it out so you're not trying to cook everything at once with limited space and hands.
• Decorating – Of course, you have to have decorations during this time of year. However, plan a few weeks in advance and start decorating your home then. Your fall decorations will carry over into this holiday too. Don't forget to visit your local florist to discuss what type of centerpiece you would like as well.

Planning Thanksgiving dinner at your house doesn't have to be stressful. Just keep the main component in mind, which is PLAN AHEAD.

If you are planning a Thanksgiving dinner, let Wedding and Party Network help!

We Are Thankful For…You!
With Thanksgiving approaching, take time out to show your close friends how truly thankful you are for them. What is the best way to show them? Why a dinner party, of course! Sitting around, sharing memorable laughs with each other will remind you how truly thankful you are for each other. There are a variety of ideas when throwing a dinner party, especially one near Thanksgiving. Read more about Thankful For You

Yummy Fall Treats
With fall here, it's time to start planning all your fall parties. You have the perfect backdrop for beautiful outdoor parties now with the gorgeous colors and the amazing weather. So, what is the perfect pairing to your fall party?
Read more about Yummy Fall Treats

Sunflower Wedding Bouquet (College Park Flowers) Reception setting (Kings Creek Flowers) Autumn cake (Dimensions In Cake) Fall bouquet (Inspired Floral Design) Balloon Arch (CR Flowers & Gifts – A Bracebridge Florist) Wedding Aisle (Design House of Flowers) Outdoor Reception (Flowers Etc. Of York)

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

Treat or Treating Tips

We all love trick or treating and loading up on yummy candy. However, now you must always be cautious during this time, yet still make it an enjoyable for everyone. So, Wedding and Party Network has some safety tips for this Halloween to make it fun and safe.

Route – Make sure to plan your route out in advance. Plan out who you will visit, like family members or friends and route out familiar neighborhoods. It's best to know whose door you're knocking on.

Rules of the Road - First off, always go with your children, but remind them the rules of the road. Always enforce traffic rules, like look both ways before crossing, obey traffic laws and use cross walks.

Stranger Danger – Even though you have your eyes on them, it only takes a second for a stranger to come up and take them. That is why you need to always remind them of stranger danger safety tips.

Costume Safety -Don't forget to focus on making sure your child's costume isn't a safety hazard. Keep costumes from dragging on the ground so they're not tripped,

When In Doubt - Throw it away. We are all aware of the dangers that candy can contain. So, if you're nervous about how something looks or you're not sure what's in it; throw it away.

Now, it's time to celebrate Halloween with a ghoulish themed party that will be one to remember.

If you are planning a Halloween party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Yes, Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to start preparing for Halloween parties. Everyone loves getting dressed up and going out in their best costumes. Therefore, you need to start planning early for your Halloween party.
Read more about Top Halloween Party Themes

Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is coming up and now is the time to start preparing your costume. This is the time of year when you can go all out and dress up for the night. It's a big deal to some, however, coming up with the right costume allows some thought process.
Read more about Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween Ideas For A Frightfully Fun Night

Though it's more than a month away, now is the perfect time to plan your Halloween party. This is one time when it's OK to have cobwebs on the brain because you're going to throw a spooky, delightfully fun Halloween party. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Read more about Halloween Ideas

Halloween theme parties are one of my favorites. When throwing a Halloween party, you’ll need to invest in few scary surprises for your party guest.
Read more about Scaring Up A Halloween Party

October is knocking on our door and is ready to appear in the next couple of days. This is a great month to host parties due to the beautiful weather, gorgeous fall colors and limitless party ideas. There are tons of great holidays to celebrate and use inspiration for your party.
Read more about October

Flowers are one of the most important things at your wedding or event. Why? They add a statement to your event and your style shines through in each design. Flowers convey the theme, they are the most important accents of your event that ties everything together.
Read More about Floral Design

Hocus Pocus arrangement (Flower Shop Network), Pirate Halloween decor (Bloomers Inc.), Pumpkin cake (Icing Illusions), Pumpkin arrangement (Alma Blooms), Calla bridal bouquet (Flower Jazz), Candy bar(The Chocolate Chick Company)

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

Tips For Popping The Question

The first step to getting engaged is getting asked. Your future fiancé has to get the courage up and ask you the big question. We all know that can be a nerve wrecking question to ask. So, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips for the groom when popping the question.

Asking – If you're planning on asking the big question, consider asking for her hand in marriage. It's tradition. Of course, if it's this serious that you're planning on asking, you've probably had discussions about marriage and what it means to you. She has also probably mentioned if it's a big deal if you ask for her hand in marriage. So, if she wants to follow that tradition, make sure you honor her wishes.

The Ring – The most important part, the engagement ring. A girl has dreamed about her engagement ring since she was a little girl. If you don't want to give it away, ask her family and closest friends what she has always dreamed about. She may have left you hints too. The main thing is to put some thought into what type of ring she wants, and actually have a ring. Even in tough times, an heirloom or even a temporary ring until she can pick out what she likes will do.

The Proposal – The second most important part of an engagement is how you propose. There are endless possibilities on how to propose, just make it original. You're asking her to be your wife, this is one of the most important times of your life. Therefore, make it special and memorable.

One Knee – Of course, you may think it's cliché. However, every girl wants you to get down on one knee. So, just go ahead and get over it and get down on one knee!

Family Involvement – Get both sides of the family involved. Again, this is a very important part of your life, so get both families involved. They want to be apart of this joyous time. After she says yes, have a surprise engagement party at her favorite restaurant with both families and even a few close friends there to celebrate.

Don't forget to RELAX! Yes, asking can be extremely nerve wrecking, however, it's such an important moment. So, don't forget to relax and take every second of it in.

If you are planning a wedding, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Finding a color scheme for your wedding day can be tricky. The best way to start is by picking two colors that compliment each other and then adding accent colors as you go. However, have you ever wondered what the meaning behind the colors of your wedding might symbolize? You should! Each color represents a specific character trait.
Read more about All About Wedding Colors

5 Tips for Your Gift Registry

So, you've felt all the stress from wedding planning. Are you wondering if it'll end soon or how much can I take? Do you need a break? Well, what better way to de-stress with finding the perfect items for your wedding registry. However, don't turn this into a stressful wedding to-do. It's a great time to spend with your groom and have a fun day together, not thinking about wedding stuff at all.
Read more about Tips for Your Gift Registry

Getting Dressed for Your Engagement Photos

You're engaged, now start planning your to-do list. So, what's first? One of the first things you may start thinking about is your engagement photos. Start researching online and gather references from friends, coworkers and family members on an engagement photographer you can use for your pictures.
Read more about Getting Dressed for Your Engagement Photos

Weddings, in general, are very traditional. Even the brides who have "non-traditional" weddings incorporate traditions that they might not even be aware of! While planning your wedding have you ever thought, "Why am I wearing this?" or "What does this ring really mean?" Well, here are some fun facts about wedding traditions and why they were incorporated into weddings.
Read more about Wedding Traditions

Wedding dresses have been worn by brides in some form or fashion since weddings began.  But why is white the color most often chosen in western weddings? Why do others cultures use red for wedding dresses?  Both are interesting questions. To learn more about the color tradition of wedding dresses, we can start with our western culture and move around the globe.
Read more about Wedding Dress Colors

To create the ideal event, everything about your occasion must compliment each other. From the event decor, flowers, linens, lighting, sound and the food, everything must work together to create the perfect event. If one thing is not up to par, everything else can be thrown off from it.
Read More about Woodlea Gardens

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

Summer is coming to an end, and it's back to school time for children of all ages. Get kids excited and help them start school on the right foot with a great relationship with their new teacher. However, how can you get kids pumped up for the new school year? Well, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas to get everyone back to school ready.

Back To School Bash

Who doesn't enjoy a party? Kids of all ages will get in the back to school spirit with a big bash. It's saying goodbye to summer and welcoming a fun-filled school year. You'll find great ideas that will get everyone ready.The main purpose of this party is to get everyone ready, including mentally and stocking them with all the supplies they need.

Decorations – You don't need extravagant party decorations, just use items that are related to school. You'll most likely already have these items around the house. Create simple flower arrangements with daisies and instead of water, fill the vase with alphabet magnets. Set out books as centerpieces, you can even stack the books to create different heights for your centerpieces. If you are looking for something unique, use pencils, pens, apples and rulers to create centerpieces.

Party Food – Make it a brown bag special. Again, nothing over-the-top for this party. When you think of food at school, think about the lunches that kids take with them. Set out lunch boxes with the kid's name on it and fill it with apple slices, celery sticks and sandwiches. The lunch box will even serve as a party favor for them to take home.

Party Activities – Buy school supplies and let the kids decorate their own. Pencil boxes, backpacks, notebooks, lunch boxes and planners can all be decorated. Let them show off their individual style at school.

Your back to school party doesn't have to be decked out in decorations and food. Keep it simple for this party. Get kids in school mode with these fun activities. They'll be absolutely excited for their first day and have a wonderful year to look forward too.

If you are planning a party for the upcoming school year, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Having a back to school party is a great way to re-connect with friends and to end the summer with a BANG! Your party will help kids ease their anxiety for the new school year and have a great time doing it! Invite friends, family and some of the children from your school.
Read more about A Back to School Party

It's A Slumber Party!

With school starting back up, your kids will want to spend quality time with their friends since they've missed them all summer. So, a great way to do this is host a slumber party at your house. Slumber parties can get a little drab and over done. However, there are lots of party ideas and tips to make your slumber party truly stand out and Wedding and Party Network has them here.
Read more about It's A Slumber Party

August – The Month of Peach Pies, Watermelon & Clowns?!

August is the month that gets everyone ready for back to school. Some may dread this time of year, but there are so many ways to brighten up this month. There are so many ideas and themes that you can use for these hot months. However, what themes are out there? What can you do to make your party stand out?
Read more about August

Back to School Party: Do's and Don'ts

If you are hosting a back-to-school party for your kids, follow these easy do's and dont's for a successful fun-filled party. Do not assume that your child's friends from last school year will be the same one this year. Over the summer and during the first week of school kids develop new friendships.  Be sure to involve your child. Ask them who they want to invite and go from there.
Read more about Do's and Don'ts

Parties in general are sometimes complicated to plan, but kid's parties always seem to be a little more stressful. Parents and grandparents always want their child’s party to be the most fun, the most decorated and with the cutest theme. And why shouldn’t it be? The question for most party hosts is, “What kind of party will we have and how will I entertain these kids?”
Read more about Components of a Successful Kid's Party

When planning your wedding, prom, night out on the town or a special event, you want it to be truly special. You want it to stand out and be a night you'll never forget. However, how can you meet this dream? A beautiful horse-drawn carriage can definitely achieve this dream.
Read More about Carriage Company

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

Going Green!

What does March represent? Gorgeous weather, the beginning of springtime, St. Patrick’s Day and  blooming buds let us know that March is upon us. So, if you’re planning a party for this upcoming month, keep the word “green” in mind. Of course, you can throw a party that’s decked out in the color green. However, you can go a different route with a “green” party. Need an idea on where to start? Well, Wedding And Party Network is here to offer a few eco-friendly party tips to get you started.

"Green" Party Tips

• Party Invitations – Send out an e-vite. People are spending more time online, so make it convenient for them with an online invitation. It saves paper, which helps save trees. However, if you must send out invitations, make sure you do so on recyclable paper.
• Tableware – Paper plates, utensils, paper cups and napkins can be the biggest waste at your party. Therefore, stick with reusable tableware items. Stick with recycled plastic plates, utensils and cups. Think of it as a great investment. You’ll be able to reuse these items numerous times and for many parties to come.
• Party Decorations – Again, stick with items that can be reused again. Chinese paper lanterns are fun, felt banners, colorful & vintage vases or old mason jars can be used as great party decorations. Use an old sheet for a tablecloth instead of the plastic one or create cloth goodies bags. The main tip here is to stay away from balloons since they are hazardous to the environment and are not biodegradable.
• Party Favors - Send favors home that will remind your guests to be eco-friendly. For a child's birthday party, stick with felt birthday hats, recyclable rainbow crayons or organic snacks in a cloth bag. However, if it's an adult party, send your guests home with organic gourmet treats or soy candles. By sending environmental friendly party favors home with your guests, you might spark some interest in recycling at their home.

"Green" Party Themes

• Star Gazing Party – If there is a meteor shower or  a clear night full of stars, grab some sleeping bags and lawn chairs and host a star gazing party. Provide telescopes, binoculars, and constellation maps for your guests. Also, provide some warming hot chocolate, smores or fruits and vegetables. Just remember to keep it organic.
• Camp & Cookout Party – Provide an outdoor experience with a camping party. Pitch tents and roll out sleeping bags for a party experience your guests won't forget. Roast marshmallows, serve drinks in reusable glasses and sit around telling fun stories.
• Craft Party – Have left over scrap paper, stickers and craft supplies? Throw a craft party for your little one or friends. Make candles, melt down candles to make rainbow candles, create jewelry, bird houses out of plastic bottles or anything else that might be unique. You're reusing items that you and your guests will be able to use everyday.

Helping out with the environment is a huge trend now. So plan your party to make sure you are doing your part to help the environment. Throwing an eco-chic party will help spread the word to your guests and teach your kids the importance of being environmentally friendly.

If you are planning a Go Green party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

St. Patrick's Day is approaching and green, clovers and gold will be coming along with it. Think green, luck, rainbows, leprechauns, four leaf clovers and gold – all of the traditional items you think about when St. Patrick's Day rolls around. Well, incorporate these items into a party theme that provides something unique this year for your party and host a treasure hunt. Read more about Planning A St. Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt

St. Patrick's Day – Life Before Green Beer

Green beer, now who thought that one up? Enter the mystical world of Saint Patrick's Day.  The day in which you can swig green beer, try your hand at speaking like an Irishman, and look for "ye pot of gold." Who is responsible for the green beer?  Who knows, seems no one wants to admit that, for some odd reason they wanted to drink green-dyed beer.  Maybe the traditional St Patrick's Day beer, Guinness Stout, was too strong for them and not wanting fellow St Paddy's Day party-goers to know,  they dyed their light beer green. Read more about Life Before Green Beer

Luck Be With Ye This Year – St. Patty's Day Party Inspiration

Ah, St. Patrick's Day. The lovable holiday that encourages everyone and their mother to wear green clothes, get green contact lenses, dye their hair green, dye their dogs green (I've seen it), and other all-too-shamrock-colored shenanigans. Green is the theme. So go all out with green beverages, food and decorations. Don't forget our favorite St Paddy's Day character – the leprechaun and his pot of gold. Read more about Planning St. Patty's Day Party

March – The Month Of Noodles, Green & Beads!

March, the 3rd month out of the year. Representing the beginning signs of spring, blooming buds and falling back an hour. Such a great month to start being outside more and enjoying the weather. It's the time of green, purple & yellows, Mardi Gras, leprechauns and rainbows. So, are you wanting to plan a party during the month of March? Want to do something unique? Read more about Planning A March Party

Chic, Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

A popular trend still going strong in weddings is "going green". Everyone is doing their part in keeping things environmentally friendly, especially now. They want to make the world a better place to live. Brides are no exception in doing their part. "Green" weddings are a huge trend and are help saving our environment through all the wedding details. Wedding and Party Network is here to give you some helpful pointers to throwing a "go green" wedding. You'll have an environmentally chic wedding. Read more about Chic, Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

Art Of Photography:  Seeing The World Through Your Eyes
Some of the most treasured possessions in a home are the photos of "the way we were." Photos of when the kids were infants, marriage photos, and pictures of when the two of you first met can bring beloved memories to life. Photos are the best way to look back and remember what is most important to you. They show the important steps that have brought you to this point in your lives together.
Read more about Art Of Photography

Create Your Picturesque Wedding With Posey Peddler
When planning your wedding, you want everything to be perfect and exactly how you've pictured it. From the biggest details, down to the littlest, you want everything to be perfect. If you're not planning a wedding, but you are hosting an event, you want all of those details to be up to your standards as well. One thing that truly adds so much to a wedding or event is flowers. So, are you needing a florist in the Jonesboro, Arkansas area? Well, Posey Peddler is here to serve you and create an event of your dreams.
Read more about Posey Peddler

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

We're Social!

Join Wedding and Party Network Online!

Social media has transformed from a means of keeping up with friends and relatives into a way to connect with the world. Social media allows business owners to connect with customers, make business contacts, and create an invaluable online brand identity. Social media, such as Facebook or blogs, provides unique opportunities to directly interact with others to plan events, follow trends, and meet new people.

Whether you are planning a wedding or party or offering services, social media is a new, exciting tool in an ever-growing arsenal to connect online!

No matter if it is commenting on one of our many blog posts, finding your favorite vendors on Facebook, or re-Tweeting a favorite tip, there are countless ways to interact with wedding and party professionals using social media. These user-friendly platforms will put you in touch with thousands of people that traditional communication methods simply cannot reach.

Wedding and Party Network always strives to bring vendors and consumers together to create outstanding parties and weddings. Using local, exceptional professionals and connecting with them online is the newest and most exciting way to plan the perfect event!

Creative Ideas for Stylish Engagement Portraits
Engagement portraits should be more than just photos, and the key to great photos is preparation!
Read more about Creative Ideas for Stylish Engagement Portraits…

Ask the Celebration Advisor: Facebook Invites for Wedding
My fiance and I would like to save money on invitations and we're thinking about using Facebook to send out invitations to our friends and family. Is this ok?
Read the Celebration Advisor's Response to Facebook Invites For Weddings…

Plan Your Wedding Using Social Media: Facebook
Did you know, thanks to Facebook business pages, that you can discover and learn more about your local wedding professionals?
Read more about How To Plan Your Wedding Using Social Media: Facebook…

Plan Your Wedding Using Social Media: Blogs
This edition will feature how to find a good wedding blog, what constitutes a "good" blog verses a bad blog, and how to use blogs to plan your wedding!
Read More about How To Plan Your Wedding Using Social Media: Blogs…

How To Use Facebook To Plan Events
By creating a Facebook Event, throwing a quick party has never been easier! With just a few clicks of a button, you are able to create an event invitation and send it to all of your friends.
Read More About How To Use Facebook Events…

Experience Exceptional Floral Design With Philip Combs Designs
An exceptional floral designer can make you say, "Wow." Philip Combs is one of a select few floral designers who has the knowledge, skill, and talent to create breathtaking works of art for any occasion.
Read More about Exceptional Floral Design By Philip Combs Designs…

J. Miguel: Creating Memories One At A Time
Some photographers capture a memory, but the truly great ones create them. J. Miguel Studio specializes in creating sophisticated images of life's most special events, from infant portraiture to weddings.
Read More about Sophisticated Wedding Photography by J. Miguel Studios…

Have A Party You Can Be Proud Of With The Cake Lady!
The Cake Lady has everything you need to create your ideal birthday party, anniversary celebration, or themed party! And to top things off, The Cake Lady creates stunning, one-of-a-kind cakes to rival any bakery in the country!
Read More about Stunning Custom Cakes By The Cake Lady…

All About The Journey With Diamonds Limousine Service
What better way to treat yourself than to hire a limousine? The old saying "It's about the journey, not the destination," comes to mind when considering a limousine.
Read More about Journeying With Diamond Limousine Service…

Luck Be With Ye In 2010

We all know which famous holiday is next in the list of random reasons we choose to dress up, act goofy, spend money, and have fun. St. Patrick’s Day! That’s right. Whether you’re Irish, pretend you’re Irish, or have no clue why that matters, St. Patrick’s Day is an awesome holiday for living it up. This month Wedding And Party Network has chosen to feature party planning tips, wedding planning ideas, and a whole heap o’ great ideas for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style. You don’t have to wait until the actual date of the holiday to enjoy spirited festivities. Start living it up earlier! The luck o’ the Irish is on our side — we have several of Irish descent here — so we know that you’ll have a great time if you stir up your own celebration using these tips.

Give a new meaning to “going green” from now until St. Patty’s Day becomes a distant, fun-filled memory. Use these ideas to make your party or wedding the most of your spirited day, and remember: Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! (Saint Patrick’s Day Blessings Upon You)

Read more St. Patrick’s Day party tips and ideas from the Celebration Advisor.

WOW Your Guests Using This Creative Caterer

They say a picture's worth a thousand words, well, with Catering Creations by CruLaRo that is exactly the case. For your wedding reception, why not use a caterer who will not only deliver the most exquisite cuisine you've ever sampled, but also WOW your guests with their incredible culinary presentations.

Read More about Catering Creations By CruLaRo

Designs For A Lifetime … One Seed At A Time

Speaking of pictures, some of the very best floral design photos can be seen in our Apple Blossoms Floral Design photo gallery: exotic flowers, unique bouquets, you've got to check it out! See More  Apple Blossoms Floral Design Gallery

Emerald Green Bridesmaids Dresses	Orchid Wedding Bouquet	Mardi Gras Party Themed Table
Bright Green Wedding Flowers	Greenery & Grapes Ice Sculpture	Green Wedding Cake

• St. Patrick's Day – Life Before Green Beer
• Unique Wedding Location: Zoo Wedding
• How's Your Luck? Wedding Superstitions
• Mayan Wedding Traditions
• Unique 2010 Winter Olympic Bouquets

There are two ways you can go about planning an eco-friendly wedding. You can go the extremist route and go as "green" as possible (the ultimate), or you can compromise and "go green" where it counts the most (the moderate). For starters, pick a team (ultimate or moderate) and decide how eco-friendly your wedding will be.

When planning an eco-friendly wedding, keep "minimal," "maximize," and "trade-off" in mind. The ultimate eco-bride will maximize the efficiency of her wedding. She will keep energy expenses to a minimum, and understands that "trade-offs" are great ways to compromise without sacrificing the eco-friendly goal of her wedding. With that in mind, here are a few tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding that everyone will rave about.

Get Hitched At An Eco-Friendly Wedding Venue

It all starts with where your nuptials are set to take place. The wedding venue is the foundation of a "green" wedding.

The Ultimate: Get outside! Saving money on utilities is as "green" as it gets. Live up the joys of an outdoor wedding ceremony. Choose from a friend's large backyard, local botanical gardens, a boat or yacht, a special pavilion in the park or other great outdoor wedding venues. After the vows are swapped, dance the night away under the stars (or a tent).

The Moderate: Compromise is key. You want a "green" wedding, but you're not going to sweat off your $100 hair and make-up job for it. No problem. Say the vows inside and switch to a tent reception later. Another Continue reading "Planning An Eco-friendly Wedding Without Sacrificing Luxury" »

Want to add a personal touch to your wedding? Feel like making yours different and less traditional? If you're in the mood for a wedding that everyone will remember, try some of these ideas when you're planning your wedding.

Personal & Memorable — write your own wedding vows

Writing your own wedding vows allows you to say how you really feel. Personalizing your vows also makes each word matter. You may not be able to recite them with the same rote intonation, but you will remember every word for the rest of your life.

It's hard to forget the sweetest words you've ever heard and that's exactly what these will be. Standing there looking into your groom's eyes, you know that he means exactly what he's saying. Every word you speak to one another floats through the air and somehow manages to stay with you through the memory fog that the excitement of the day creates.

Create A Romantic Atmosphere — have a reading and get guests involved

Some of your friends may not be in the wedding party. Some of your favorite relatives may not have positions in the wedding party either. Having a reading at your wedding ceremony will help involve close friends and family.

So what do they read? Many couples choose romantic poems that read like vows. An extra personal touch for the creative couple is to write their own poem(s) and have honored guests read stanzas from that. Each guest reads one stanza until the poem has ended. Once it is over, the whole room feels unified.

Homage & Honor – Set up memorial tables for deceased loved ones

Many brides and grooms feel strongly bonded to people that have passed. The wedding becomes somewhat bittersweet when they realize that something so important will not be witnessed by their deceased loved one. To honor that person (usually a relative), a table with their picture and a few small mementos is a wonderful way to pay homage to these special people. The table can be set up near the sign-in table, where the couple's picture is displayed, or at the wedding reception where they would have sat.

Mementos for the memorial table can include a small poem with the theme of "gone but not forgotten, not here but here in our hearts", a small flower arrangement to accent the pictures, a unique picture frame to hold the pictures, and other items.

Trendy & Different — personalize your wedding decorations

Your wedding decorations reflect your personality. Many couples highlight their table centerpieces with engagement photos. Take that thought a step further by using decorations such as photo cubes on the reception tables.

Also consider the color of your wedding decorations. Many contemporary weddings feature colors that are a far stray from the traditional pinks and creams. Instead, modern brides are personalizing their wedding by including fancy colors such as silver, gold, ruby, and black or bright colors such as lime green, orange, yellow, and hot pink. An instant "wow" factor comes from using color in your wedding.

Fun & Humorous — choose a unique wedding cake & cake topper

There are some wedding cakes that guests cannot take their eyes off of once they hit the reception hall. Sometimes it's the height of multiple tiers that makes the wedding cake unique. Four or five tiers of buttercream delight is enough to turn heads of both young and old. Fountain wedding cakes with unique platforms also get the neck turning.

Sometimes it's the design of the wedding cake itself that gets attention. Uniquely shaped wedding cakes, specific icing patterns, colorful wedding cakes–these are all examples of personalized wedding cakes designed with the bride's tastes in mind.

Another example is something shocking. Cakes with a little personality of their own let guests know that the bride is one-of-a-kind with a great sense of humor. For example, brides wanting an esoteric wedding cake can ask for a cake decorated with girly skulls. Why not? The groom gets a cake that shows off his personality and interests. Why not bring the same feeling to the wedding cake?

Monogrammed cake toppers help personalize the wedding cake. The initial of your new surname is a wonderful addition to the cake. You could also choose the initial of your married surname surrounded by smaller initials of your name and your groom's.

Speaking of unique cake toppers, the style of cake topper where the bride and groom are arm-in-arm as if in motion down the aisle is going out the window quickly with modern brides. It's not unique or original. Instead, try a unique cake topper like a licensed character set. Or, go back to the "shocking" and try something very different that will garner a laugh faster than the best man's toast.

Altruistic & Generous — choose personalized wedding favors or charitable donations

Many couples are opting for personalized wedding favors. These are the same great favors but they feature the couple's name and wedding date. They also think about what they would want if they attended a wedding. This helps them choose a unique wedding favor for their guests. Anything that newlyweds can put their names or faces on is a great way to personalize the wedding.

Charitable donations are also being requested by newlyweds in lieu of wedding favors. Small envelopes with the announcement "a donation to (your favorite charity) has been made in your name" are becoming huge with environmentally friendly or activist couples.

Respectful & Classy — incorporate your parents wedding accents

This idea may seem a bit traditional but there's still a way to make your parent's stuff help your wedding feel personal. It also helps that it's YOUR parents stuff which means that no one else has had it or used it or will use it with maybe the exception of your siblings.

To personalize your wedding by using things your parents wedding accessories, make sure that you use these things where they enhance your personality. Your mother's bouquet may not be what you carry but it can be the inspiration for the bouquet centerpieces at the wedding reception. Perhaps your mother wore her mother's necklace during the ceremony. You may have something else in mind for your neck but many florists can secure the jewelry to your bouquet which means that you'll have it the entire time. Just find a twist for these items and it's the same good old feeling with a personal touch.

Furry & Faithful – include your pet(s) in the ceremony

Some couples are very attached to their pets. If you have a small dog or other trained pet, consider making them part of your wedding party. Attach the wedding ring to a pillow on the dog's collar. Of course, you have to keep in mind the personality of your pet. If they are nervous or excitable, consider a smaller role.

The more you plan your wedding the easier it will be to find unique ways to personalize it. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it is a reflection of you and of your groom. It's your big day! Make it special and something that everyone will remember with great tips on wedding planning from Wedding And Party Network!!

Special thanks to:

Bake My Day, a wedding cake bakery in Louisville Kentucky, for the use of their polka dotted contemporary wedding cake photo.

Beautiful Weddings On A Budget, wedding coordinators in Fort Campbell Kentucky, for the use of their personalized photo cube table decorations photo.

Briar Rose Cottage Flowers, a wedding florist in Jesup Georgia, for the use of their wedding ceremony photo.

Escape Concepts, a wedding supplier in Charlotte North Carolina, for the use of their cake topper photo.