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.

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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!

Flowers are an essential part of any wedding. The colors, fragrances and beautiful arrangements play a big role in your wedding. So, when you are choosing your wedding flowers, look beyond the colors and styles. All flowers have meanings that can convey a message without saying a word. This is called the language of flowers that speaks to us all, if we know how to listen. Let's take a look at the meanings behind some of the more popular wedding flowers.

What are your wedding flowers saying?

• Baby's Breath: Represents innocence
• Calla Lily: Stands for Magnificent beauty, elegance and charm
• Red Carnations: Represents love. Pink shows gratitude while white conveys talent
• Chrysanthemum: Symbolizes wealth, abundance and truth
• Daffodil: Conveys respect
• Daisy: Represents romance and shared feelings
• Delphinium: Stands for swiftness and lightness
• Freesia: Symbolizes innocence
• Gardenia: Represents purity and joy
• Hydrangea: Conveys understanding
• Iris: Shows a message of faith and wisdom
• Lilac: Stands for royalty, truth and honor
• Lilies: Represent innocence and purity
• Pink Lilies: Show prosperity
• Stargazer Lilies: Convey aspiration
• Lily of the Valley: Symbolizes happiness
• Magnolia: Stands for the love of nature
• Orchids: Show love and beauty
• Peony: Conveys bashfulness
• Roses: The most popular wedding flower, which is the flower of love
• Red Roses: Show Passion and fiery love
• Dark Pink Roses: Represents thankfulness for finding each other
• Ivory Roses: Symbolize fidelity
• Stephanotis: Represents marital happiness
• Stock: Stands for lasting beauty
• Sunflower: Symbolizes adoration and loyalty
• Sweet Pea: Shows pleasure
• Tulips: Represent undying love and passion which is perfect for a wedding

Taking the flower and color meanings into consideration helps personalize every aspect of your wedding. Using special flowers conveying a message in the groom's boutonniere is a sweet gesture from the bride. Bridesmaid's bouquets personalized in the language of flowers can have deep sentiment and meaning towards friendship and family. Centerpieces and reception decor will hold precious memento when you know the deep meaning behind each flower. Using note cards to explain why you chose each flower helps the guests and recipients of the flowers understand the message hidden within. It makes for a fun and sweet way to bring even more sentiment to an already special and unique occasion.

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

So, you're engaged and planning for a fall wedding. That's wonderful! However, are you overwhelmed? Are you able to figure out what's in style for this fall with the wealth of information you have received and read. Wedding and Party Network has some wonderful fall wedding tips that you can easily incorporate into your wedding.

Going Sheer -What's hot this season for weddings, and even fashion? Going sheer. You can incorporate this trend into all parts of your wedding and it will set an elegant tone. Your wedding invitations can include sheer layers within the design. Also, merge this trend into your wedding decorations like, lucite chairs, sheer fabrics, linens, crystal decor, clear beaded accents and translucent tents.

Showing Off The Shoes - Colorful and fun shoes are simply amazing. This means having higher hems. Raising the hems, means showing off the shoes easier. So, let your wedding shoes show off the colors of your wedding. Purple, blue, pink, black, red or even orange all add a wonderful accent. If you want to add something else, choose shoes with flowers, ruffles or even feathers.

Veils -Don't forget about the beautiful accent to your wedding dress. The veil needs to be perfect and match the style of your dress. However, shorter veils and even headpieces are a huge trend for this year. Birdcage veils, blusher, flyaway, or shoulder length.

Texture -Adding texture to your wedding is a great trend this season. Add texture to your wedding cake, dress, linens, centerpieces, wedding invitations and your flowers. A great way to add texture is with your wedding cake. It is so elegant and simply amazing. Plus, it's unique and your guests will definitely notice it without it being over the top.

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!

Translucent chairs provided by kartellpeople via flickr.

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!

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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!

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 unique reception flowers. There are so many different things you can do with flowers at your reception. Plus, they are so important because they represent the theme of your wedding and show off your fabulous style.

Picture the reception of your dreams. The lighting, colors, tables and beautiful flowers all meshing together to create the perfect fusion just right for you. Can you picture your wedding flowers vibrant and lavish or unique and elegant creating the perfect ambiance for your celebration? Flowers are what pull everything together at a reception. Use your imagination to create one-of-a-kind flower arrangements to make your reception stand out from others. Here are some creative designs for your wedding flowers to help you create the perfect look for yours!

If you are planning a mixed cultural wedding there are several things you need to consider. Embrace both cultures to create a beautiful and unique wedding.

Most wedding traditions are based on religion, culture, heritage, and race. When you are cutting and pasting together a wedding, you need to decide which traditions mean the most to you and your fiancé as well, as your families.

Your family's opinions and vision of your wedding might create obstacles, especially if they are the ones paying for it! Creating a wedding that respects both family's religions and cultures can be done and be absolutely beautiful.

The first thing you need to do, before even thinking about the revenue, date or theme, is sit down and talk with you fiancé about which traditions are the most important to you. Being open with each other about what you want included and what can be left out will make things a lot easier.

The next step is to sit down with both of your families, preferably at separate times. Ask them for advice and let them know that you want to respect and honor the family traditions, but need to make this ceremony a fusion of both.

Although every couple is different and you want your wedding to be unique, you also want your wedding to show your personality and your heritage. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

One of the most common solutions for a mixed wedding is to have two separate ceremonies. However, when finances wont allow for two ceremonies, you need to be creative and find a way to mesh both cultures into one ceremony.

• Invitations: Send out two sets of invitations. One in each language so that no one feels left out.
• Location: If your religions clash, consider holding the ceremony in a non-religious venue. A park, a hall, a ballroom, a country or garden club are great options.
• Programs: Two sets of programs, in the same style and theme but one in each language. You can even personalize them with a small note to your family in your native language on near the bottom.
• Music: Alternate music throughout the ceremony from each culture. Sticking with instrumentals will make the transition from song to song smooth.
• Readings: Alternate the readings from one language to the next. You don't want to do every reading in both languages because it will make your ceremony too long.
• Vows: Recite vows in your native language, so that both set of parents and families understand completely.
• Reception: Take care when arranging the seating, making sure that everyone is sitting with someone they can communicate with. (You don't want your Aunt Evelyn sitting at a table of non-English speaking guests).
• Decor: Your set up should show both cultures. Including flowers, lighting and even positioning of the tables. Creating centerpieces with flowers and candles that represent both your heritages will make your families feel at home.

Give opportunity for everyone to mesh and mingle. The dance floor is the perfect opportunity for this! Again, you will want to alternate music from each culture to keep your guests happy and involved.

• Menu: Finding the perfect food for everyone is a difficult task. However, you can arrange your buffets to have two separate stations catering to both cultures. Or if you are using a menu, have options designed around both cultures. Find a caterer in your area to help you design the perfect pallet for your reception.

Remember, your wedding is about you and your spouse. It is the beginning of a new and happy adventure that will take you places you have never been. Make sure to merge your style, character and personality as well as your spouse's! With a little planning and creativity your wedding will be beautiful, unique and respectful to both of your heritages.

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 wedding planners near you!

When planning a wedding, you can find inspiration anywhere. From nature, the world, colors or your favorite hobbies, these are all places on where you can draw wedding inspiration. You can even draw inspiration from your favorite movies. It's out there, everywhere you look. The most important thing when planning your wedding is to make sure and incorporate YOU. It's your wedding after all and you want it to be just how you've always dreamed.

How Do I Incorporate Movies Into Our Wedding?

First off, sit down and start brainstorming. What is your favorite movie? What time era was it set in? What style does in portray throughout the movie? What is your personal style? These are all questions you need to ask yourself in the very beginning. Once you have figured out the style and theme you are going with, start deciding the basics. What type of colors, flowers and accents will you have at your wedding?

Wedding Colors – Incorporate your favorite colors. It's that simple. The theme of your wedding can go and all the little accents can work with whatever colors you choose.

Wedding Invitations -This is where you can get creative. Whether your wedding is out-of-the-box or more elegant, there are wedding invitations out there to suit both styles. For starters, your wedding invitation should replicate a movie ticket.

A movie ticket will definitely fit the theme of this wedding. You can even visit your local stationery store or find someone who is crafty and actually do a tear-off ticket. You can have a movie ticket that features individual tear offs with the reception information, hotel accommodations and the RSVP card. Guests can then tear off the RSVP card at the perforated edge and send it back! Absolutely adorable idea and definitely conveys the theme of your wedding from the beginning.

Wedding Flowers & Decor -If they feature flowers in the film, use those. Is your movie inspired wedding bright & colorful? Well, incorporate that into your wedding bouquet and decor. Is your favorite movie in black & white? Well, make black and white the theme of your wedding and incorporate that into all the little details. Place fun movie accents throughout your wedding. Have a movie poster created with your engagement pictures.

Include the wedding party in the movie poster as well and give it a fun movie title! If you're movie is set in a certain time era, play it up. Everything from your table numbers to your guest book can be movie inspired. Create tickets or miniature movie poster as table numbers and use a typewriter as a guest book, both of these ideas make unique additions to your wedding. Use candelabras for your reception centerpieces or even balloons!

Wedding Attire – This will depend on the theme and time era your movie was set in.

Reception Food -Again, stick with the theme and era. However, get creative and think outside-the-box when it comes to your food. Vintage soda pop bottles with colorful straws, a popcorn bar featuring different flavors of popcorn, popcorn cupcakes or a memorable food item from the movie all will make wonderful reception food!

It's easy to find inspiration for your wedding through your favorite movie. It's a fun way to incorporate your personal style into it. Everyone loves a great movie now and then, so incorporating your favorite movie into your wedding is a fun way to show off your style. Your  movie can be a timeless classic, circus inspired, cartoon inspired or even sci-fi inspired. Just be sure to show off you and your groom's personality throughout your wedding!

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

Popcorn cupcakes, save the date tickets, provided by carabou, amy[treespacestudio] via flickr.

The First Steps In Wedding Planning

So, you're engaged! Congratulations! This is truly an exciting time. Now, don't freak out. You have plenty of time (maybe) and planning a wedding actually can be stress free. Wedding And Party Network is here to offer a few tips to help you start on the right foot. Remember to enjoy your wedding and all that comes with it, because it flies by in an instant.

Take It All In & Enjoy – Remember, this only comes around once. So, enjoy it. Take a breath and take it all in. You have the right to jump up and down and say you're engaged at the top of your lungs. Call all your friends and family, share it with all your Facebook friends, take pictures of your ring and admire it. Enjoy it all!

Purchase A Planner – Yes, you'll definitely need one of these to keep up with all the important dates. You'll have so much going on that there is a chance you can forget an important date. The planner will help you keep on track and keep all your meetings, showers and your wedding date in order. Plus, it'll save as a great keepsake memento that you'll enjoy looking back on.

Announce Your Engagement – Let everyone know you're engaged! There are many ways to do this, so choose which best suits your style. You can announce it in the paper or mail out announcements to your friends and family. There's no right or wrong way to do this, just share the special occasion with everyone.

Set The Date – This is one of the most important steps in planning your wedding. Do you want a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding? Remember, think about the elements you want to include in your wedding and think about the ideal time for the flowers you want, colors or food. Ask yourself what's your favorite season or what works best for your schedule? It's your day, have it when you want it!

The Theme – Once you have set the date, start looking at the type of wedding you want. Go through wedding magazines or blogs, like this one, to give you inspiration and great ideas. Choose a theme that represents you as a couple. You want it to show off your style and personalities. Once you have chosen what type of wedding you want, you can start planning the rest of the details.

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

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.
Read more about 8 Ways To Personalize Your Wedding

Wedding Planning Tips

First off, congratulations on your very exciting engagement! Your wedding will be a dream come true and what you've always imagined. Once the excitement calms down and you've told everyone, you need to start planning. The sooner the better!
Read more about Wedding Planning Tips

Managing Your Guest List

So, you're engaged, congratulations! Wedding And Party Network is so excited to hear about your big news. However, are you now stuck on what to do next. You've set the date and figured out your local wedding vendors, now what's next?
Read more about Managing Your Guest List

Tips On Selecting Your Wedding Vendors

You're engaged, now you have a big wedding to-do list that keeps piling up. Some brides just want to get everything checked off their wedding list as fast as they can. However, start thinking about the quality of your vendors when checking off those items on your wedding checklist. Quality is key to your wedding day.
Read more about Selecting Your Wedding Vendors

Well, the warm weather is in full force and so are you! It's time to start planning those summer parties and vacations that will create memories to last a lifetime. The pool & lake season has begun, school is out and now it's time to sit back and relax.
Read more about June – The Month Of Roses, Kites & U.F.O's?!

One of the first things you decide on is finding the perfect place for your wedding day. Your wedding venue is everything to you. It sets the tone, style and shows off you and your groom's personality. Location is a big deal on your wedding day.
Read More about Castle Ladyhawke

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

Ask The Celebration Advisor:

Is it okay to have a different number of bridesmaids and ushers?

- Brittany

The Celebration Advisor:

Of course! It's your wedding day! You shouldn't feel forced to put someone in YOUR wedding just to make everything equal. Don't feel obligated to put anyone in your wedding party that you don't have to, it's your day and you want to share it with people who matter most in your life.

You may have a friend that you've been friends with since you were younger, however, you haven't talked to them in ages. If you want them in your wedding, great! However, if you don't, you are not obligated to put them in there just because you need to make up the difference. Everything will work out with the uneven numbers, don't stress about it. It's your wedding day, do what you want.