It's the start of a new year and you may have a big event coming up, like your wedding day! Congratulations on that holiday engagement and get ready to start planning your wedding. It's an overwhelming process, yet it should be absolutely fun. This is one of the biggest moments of your life. However, don't feel as if you have to stick to a strict planning process. It's all about making this day your own. Wedding and Party Network is providing you with a list of rules that you DON'T have to follow. Make your wedding day represent you!

Rule #1 – The walk down the aisle is not reserved for Dads only. Yes, it is tradition and most brides wouldn't have it any other way. However, it may be more complicated for the bride's dad to walk her down the aisle for whatever reasons. Choose someone who has been a strong and supportive role in your life. A person in your life that would make you ecstatic sharing that walk down the aisle with.

Rule #2 – Seeing the bride before the ceremony is an absolute no. However, that's not the case anymore. It's been considered bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, and if you're wanting to stick with tradition than that's great. Some brides are wanting to capture that "first look" on camera. It's a cute moment and a private moment shared between the bride and groom, instead of all their guests. Plus, it gives brides more time to capture photos before the ceremony instead of after.

Rule #3 – Your wedding party must all match. Not the case anymore. While matching bridesmaid dresses are great, think out-of-the-box and have your bridesmaids where different styled bridesmaid dresses or different colored dresses that are in the same color family. Some dresses look better on some bridesmaids, while not so great on others. This gives them the option to feel comfortable and even wear their dress again. Plus, your wedding will stand out and everyone will look great.

Rule #4 – You absolutely must have a garter and bouquet toss. Not so much. Your single friends are not a fan of being singled out and ushered to the middle of the dance floor to try to catch the wedding bouquet or garter. You can still play a game, like the Newlywed Shoe Game.

Rule #5 – Honeymoons must be taken right after the wedding. Again, a lot of couples are opting to take their honeymoon a few weeks after, if not months after. All that stress of the wedding and then hurrying around trying to clean up and say bye to guests is a lot. So, some couples are taking it all in and enjoying it minute by minute by not having to be on a time constraint. Plus, you can save your money longer to take a better honeymoon.

Remember, don't feel confined to tradition. Plan your wedding for what works best for you and put your own personality in it.

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

Proposals Based On Personality
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. Read more about Proposals Based On Personality

Color Your Wedding Right
Just like anything else, there are trends in the wedding industry. Even with colors. When choosing your wedding colors, you must choose wisely since they are incorporated into just about every element of your wedding. So, it's important you choose colors that pair well together and won't be overbearing when incorporated into the rest of your elements. Read more About Color Trends

4 tiered wedding cake(Brittany Flowers Of Kirkland), Wedding gown(Absolute Haven The Bridal Boutique), Wedding rings(Alamo Photographic), Limousines(Limo Quest), Wedding reception(Scott Studio), Wedding shoes(Charis Photography), Elegant wedding reception(Paper Moon Event Specialists)

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

Are you planning your dream winter wedding? Are you staying up-to-date on all the latest trends? If not, Wedding and Party Network has our picks for winter wedding trends. Of course, you want to incorporate your own personal style into your wedding, however, you can gain inspiration from wedding trends that you may want to incorporate into your wedding. So, start planning and incorporating the latest trends into your wedding for a winter wonderland wedding.

Victorian Wedding -Ever since the wedding of William & Kate, Victorian weddings are a big theme. The simplistic romantic style is always breathtaking. It's all about class and grace. Roses, hyacinths and pansies evoke romantic gestures, which are ideal for your wedding bouquet and flowers. Victorian styled wedding gowns with beautiful lace, fitted sleeves and bustled skirts. A beautiful Victorian wedding never gets old and always displays a picturesque wedding.

Plush Blooms – Big, plush blooms are a huge trend now that you can feature in your wedding bouquets, centerpieces, arrangement and be the main focal point as part of your wedding flowers. Garden roses and peonies give you a big, lush look that gives off the romantic vibe. Again, going with the Victorian themed wedding.

Dessert Tables – Don't just focus on your wedding cake, think about offering a variety of desserts at your wedding. Of course, have a wedding cake, however, focus on pies, miniature cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

Theme Weddings – Themes are a great way to go with your wedding. It doesn't have to be like a themed party or anything like that, just make the theme fit your personality. If you love vintage, go with a vintage themed wedding. However, if you enjoy a variety of colors, go with a rainbow themed wedding.

Wedding Colors – Mixing and matching colors are great and still on trend. However, for your winter wedding, focus on neutrals. Beige, brown, nude and pale colors are simply beautiful during the winter months.

These are great ideas to gather inspiration for your wedding, however, don't forget to make it fit YOU. That's the main priority and it's your wedding day that you'll remember forever.

This post is brought to you by Saint Louis Florists.
Not in St. Louis, MO? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a florist near you!

Dessert table photo provided by Shauna Younge Dessert Tables via flickr.

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.

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!

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!

When planning for your wedding, you want the night to be memorable. You want guests leaving thinking to themselves, that was spectacular! One element to think about is the food. What will you serve your guests? Whatever you are thinking, the food stands out and is an element that makes your wedding memorable. So, Wedding and Party Network is here to give you a few wedding food tips before planning on what to serve.

• Your wedding menu should reflect YOU! Forget about what you know people don't like and do, this day is completely about you and your groom.  Forget about the wedding etiquette and do what makes you happy!
• A lot of weddings give their guests a lot of variety to choose from, which can cause a strain on budget. So, choose a few welcoming drinks and canapes for your guests when they first arrive. This will hold their appetite over while they wait for your arrival. Next, choose one to two starches, red & white meat, a few vegetables and salad. You can finish it off with your wedding cake as dessert.
• Keep it simple. You and your guests don't want to eat heavy foods throughout the night so you'll be weighed down. It's nice to keep your food light and refreshing. Just play up the presentation in a unique way so the food stands out. This also helps with your budget, however, you still focus on taste.
• For informal yet classic, create fun self-serve stations. Create a finger food bar, dessert bar and a drink station for your guests. You can play up the presentation of these bars and they add a special touch to any wedding. You can easily create a beautiful presentation to match the theme of your wedding.

The main thing to keep in mind when planning your menu is to think about what YOU like. It's your day, therefore, you should eat what you enjoy. You can easily find food that you enjoy that conveys the theme of your wedding. Also, don't forget to play up the presentation!

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

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.

Why are wedding dresses white?

In traditions past, wedding dresses were not white at all! People often believe that wedding dresses have always traditionally been white. Wrong. Blue was often the color of the traditional wedding dress. It's color signified purity.

It wasn't until 1840 when Queen Victoria wed Albert of Saxe clad in a white dress that the color white became popular. If you could afford a white dress that you would only wear once, then you were considered wealthy. That also goes for the amount of material on the dress. The more material, the wealthier you were.

What do wedding rings signify?

As we know, wedding rings are an outward sign of being "taken". The tradition originated in Europe when only the wives wore one. During the 20th century, men started wearing them too.

• The circular shape signifies never-ending love with no beginning and no end.
• It was also a sign of "sale" of the bride from the father to groom.
• Wedding bands are worn on the ring finger because the Romans claimed that there is a vein in the finger that is connected directly to the heart.

Why does the wedding party dress in matching clothes?

In past traditions the wedding party would dress identical to the bride and groom to keep any evil spirits confused at who was the bride and groom.

What does Something Old, Something New signify?

This saying derives from an old English poem. Each piece signifies something special. The old represents the bride's past. The new stands for the bride's future with her husband. The borrowed represents the bond between the bride and her family. While, the blue symbolizes the loved shared between the bride and groom.

Why can't the groom see the bride before the wedding?

This custom comes from when marriages were arranged. Often, the brides were sold to the groom. The wedding would be their first meeting and it was known as bad luck to see each other before the wedding. The bride wasn't even supposed to see herself in the mirror on her wedding day because she might leave part of herself behind.

Why do we toss the bouquet and garter?

The tossing of the garter stemmed from the royal family. To make it official, they wanted to see the garter or stocking from the bride. When others got word of this tradition, they followed and actually got violent. They would steal the garter or stocking from the bride with force. That is when the groom started taking the garter off to protect her.

Tossing of the wedding bouquet follows similar to the garter. The bride tossed the wedding bouquet into a crowd of wedding guests.

The tradition has been that the groomsman that catches the garter will marry next, making him a very lucky man. And the same with bridesmaid who catches the wedding bouquet, she too, would marry next.

Why are flowers incorporated in the wedding?

Traditional wedding bouquets were carried by the bride only. They contained garlic, herbs, grain and fruit blossoms to ward off evil spirits and symbolize prosperity. This custom was replaced with flowers as a sign of fertility, love and happiness.

Although these traditions stem from strange customs…They are still fun to blend into your wedding. It's just interesting to know where they came from!

This post is brought to you by New York Wedding Dress Providers.
Not in New York, NY No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding dresses near you!

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. You want your wedding colors to show your personality and to inspire and shine.
So, make sure your wedding colors express you!

Of course, you have to consider the place and timing of your wedding when choosing a color palette. You don't want to have bright springy colors at your fall wedding or warm fall colors at your beach wedding! There are a few limits, but for the most part, your imagination and creativity are the only limit you have. Take a look at the meanings behind your wedding colors.

Wedding colors and the meanings behind them

• Red: Traditionally the color of love and passion.
• Pink: The color of universal love, romance and acceptance. Pink is delicate and caring.
• Orange: The color of healing, vitality and sincerity.
• Brown: Represents simplicity, warmth and comfort.
• Yellow: A cheerful color that expresses joy and happiness.
• Green: The color of fertility, harmony and balance.
• Blue: Represents peace, spirituality and inspiration.
• Purple: The color of royalty, showing elegance, inspiration and sophistication.
• Lavender: Expresses grace and elegance.
• Gold: The symbol of wealth, tradition and optimism.
• White: The color of perfection, purity, wholeness and kindness.
• Black: Represents sophistication, boldness and elegance.
• Silver: Is formal, conservative, glamorous and sophisticated.
• Ivory: Expresses pleasantness, elegance and sincerity.

Whatever colors you choose, they need to be a representation of you and what you love. The colors of your wedding have a large impact on your wedding. Take your time and widen your imagination. In these times, nothing is off-limits. So, have fun and express yourself!

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

Your wedding day is a day that you have looked forward to for years.  A day to celebrate and begin your new journey with your mate. Weddings are an occasion that come along with great celebration, family and friends and a large price tag!

That being said, it's not wonder that small, intimate weddings are becoming more popular. Often times, however, it's not only the money that inspires couples to have a private wedding… It takes much less planning, less stress and makes for a memorable family event. Something that you will hold close to your heart forever.

Small weddings are not the most favored, but they are the most cost efficient choice. Expect to have mixed emotions from family and friends when you share the news. They're excited about your special day too. Listen to their opinions, but since you chose to have a small wedding, stick to your guns and explain to them that on a later date you will hold an informal reception to include everyone who isn't invited to the ceremony.

Make a budget. No wedding planner needed! Do some research on the web and around your community for local florists, caterers, and bakeries.

Once you have an attainable budget you can start planning and purchasing your wedding necessities.

Chose your location. Smaller weddings give you more options when it comes to finding a wedding location, look for local halls, churches, wineries, beaches, parks or private gardens. Depending on how small your guest list is, you can hold the ceremony at your home or a family member's home.

Destination weddings are a great option when you have a small guest list too. It costs more. However, you can ask your family to pitch in to help cover the traveling costs instead of gifts. After all, they will be coming along on the trip too!

Invitations. Send out your wedding invitations 4-6 weeks in advance. If you feel bad talking about your wedding to friends who are not invited, it might be a better idea NOT talk about it. Keep it a secret until after the ceremony. You can then invite them to the reception to celebrate!

The Menu. Selecting your menu will be easier with a smaller crowd. You wont have to worry about generalizing the menu, like you would for a larger crowd. Hire a caterer to create your family's favorite foods.

The wedding. Yes it close and personal, but you can still have all the traditions included. Ask your guests to offer a few words at the ceremony or to do the readings if it is a religious ceremony.

Reception. This is a great time to show a slide show or play old family movies. A time to tell family stories. Your reception will be small, private and beautiful.

After your wedding you can wait a few weeks before having your big reception. This celebration is less formal than a typical wedding reception. Send out your invitations a few weeks in advance and plan for a low-key party to include all your friends in the celebration!

A few reminders…

• You can still have the dress of your dreams! Just because your wedding is small doesn't mean you can't have a great dress.
• The wedding flowers don't need to be as lavish as they would be for a larger wedding. But, having flowers in your small wedding will bring an intimate and elegant touch to the ceremony and reception.
• A beautiful way to include your family in the wedding is to give each family member a single flower as they take their seats. When you walk down the aisle to the altar, each flower will become part of your bouquet. This can be done with Hawaiian Leis too, each family member can place one around your neck as you make your way to alter. Or a simple hug to each family member as you enter is a beautiful way to include everyone.

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