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Register for ““The Wedding Affair”

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Are You Thinking About Proposing?

As December is responsible for over 32% of the country's proposals and with Christmas Eve being on a Saturday. . .we want to wish our nervous friends who have that ring box in their pockets the best of luck and know come Monday, we will be right here to take you through the fun process of planning your big weekend. 

 

Illustration by Karen Kurycki /For The Washington Post

Happy Holidays

Best wishes for the holidays
and for health and happiness
throughout the coming year. 

Always

AtUrBest Special Events & iPower Global Solutions

"The Wedding Affair" wishes all the wonderful couples good luck on your face book contest -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Does 2012 Signal the End of Time? Belizeans Say No

Maya Descendants Believe End of Calendar Brings New Beginnings

December 21, 2011 (San Pedro, Belize) — Only 365 days remain until the end of the 5126-year-old Mayan calendar next year, and the beliefs of many will be tested as time ticks down in 2012. On December 21, 2012, the world as we know it will end – or so it’s thought by those who believe next year’s end to the 5126-year-old Mayan calendar signals the end of time. However, Maya descendants in Belize, the epicenter of the ancient Mayan world, reject popular doomsday scenarios, and instead see the calendar’s end as a joyous time of spiritual rebirth and new beginnings. 

"The Wedding Affair" Searching For Bridezillas

"The Wedding Affair" -

 Is proud to announce the search for Bridezillas for Season 9.  "The Wedding Affair" and it's affiliates are looking for the right couples to be a part of a wonderful and exciting show. 

Our New Look

We've had to keep our lips sealed for the past few months, but we're very excited
to finally announce that AtUrBest Special Events -The first thing we'd like to point out
is our new look. It's stronger and bolder than ever before.

Steps to Planning a Wedding

A wedding is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime experience and therefore, it's essential that you plan in advance to make it memorable. This article discusses steps to planning a wedding for guys.

Having gotten over your commitment issues and having made the decision to get married (read gotten engaged), you think that all the major decisions of life have been finally made and all that remains is to plan the wedding. Having gotten over and overcome your 'Fear of Commitment' which is probably one of the toughest things ever, guys like me think that planning for a wedding will be easy (a cake walk to be precise). How difficult can that be? Right? Wait till you start planning for the wedding cake! This viewpoint gets a drastic jolt when you sit with your fiancee and calculate the estimate of the 'dream wedding' planned by her and get to know the complexity of the task! This article will elucidate the steps to planning a wedding for guys, who intend to play a proactive role in this largely female dominated job!

Its All About The Date 11-11-11 Congratulations to Today's Wedding Celebrations

The numerically-minded and superstitious, today is also a once-in-a-century event - 11/11/11.

Across the world, people are attributing all sorts of meanings to the day. In China, many are celebrating 11/11/11 as "Singles Day." The idea being that all those 1s in the date are symbolic of people who are on their own.

Creative Ways to Say I Love You

"I love you" - these three words are not as simple as they seem to be, neither for the one who wants to say them, nor for the one who is waiting to hear them. A whole lot of emotions, feelings, thoughts and bonds lie hidden behind these three words. That's why, there are so many people who wonder, "how to say I love you?", "How to sum up the plethora of emotions one feels in just three words? Scroll down for the answers...

Wedding Insurance Reviews

Are you planning for a dream wedding, and looking for a good wedding insurance policy? The wedding insurance reviews discussed in this article, will guide you in choosing one that promises to protect you from financial losses in case any disaster strikes on your big day.

Wedding can be one of the most special events in anyone's life and the wedding day, the most awaited. Everyone takes a lot of effort in planning their wedding day to ensure that nothing goes wrong and their dream wedding is perfect in every way. However, you never know what fate has in store and sometimes, tragedy can strike in the form of something as minor as the wedding photographer not turning up, to something like cancellation of the wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.

Enter to win a FREE 10-DAY Weddingmoon in Unbelizable Belize!!!

Belize's unspoiled beauty, history and nature create the backdrop as your participate in the "Maya Marriage of Many". As the 5,126 year old Mayan Calendar draws to an end in December 2012, it is a time of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings.

"The Wedding Affair" Needs Talented Independent Sales

April 21-22, 2012

Produced by AtUrBest Special Events www.nytheweddingaffair.com

866.767.7935

Need Amazing, Talented Independent Sales Associate to Assist with Sales and Sponsorship

We are looking for someone who:

Has a “can do” attitude and loves to be challenged

Has an appropriate business, sales and marketing background, and knowledge of Sponsorship.

"The Wedding Affair" - features Our Premier -Bridal Gown Designer - Bryan K. Osburn

"The Wedding Affair" is proud to announce that Mr. Bryan K. Osburn, will be showcasing his wonderful bridal gown designs at the upcoming bridal event -April 21-22, 2012 in Gastonia, NC.

Brides join us - wouldn't it be wonderful to have your own speciality gown created for you and you only.

"The Wedding Affair" Needs Interns

‎"The Wedding Affair" -

Need amazing, Talented Interns to assist with PR, Marketing, and Sales for “The Wedding Affair”

Candidate will gain experience with every aspect of Event Production: communicate with high-level clients, solicitation of sponsorship, collaboration with top celebrities, help produce runway show, coordinate social media events and follow up with press.

2012 Weddings Belize- Are You Ready to Celebrate in Belize?

In 1999, the world welcomed and celebrated the new millennium and Destination Bride, LLC planned a celebration for 10,000 people. In 2012, the world will join the people of Central America and the the Maya in celebrating their new “Millennium” on 12-21-12 when a new era according to the Maya calendar begins.

Rainy Day Activities For Couples

They say, great couples can weather all storms, so a little rain isn't going to dampen their spirits. For some couples, when it rains the clouds not only pour down water, but they bring little drops of romance. Hollywood has also capitalized on the rainy day romances by showing couples kissing in the rain, the image of Spiderman kissing Mary Jane in the rain while hanging upside down is legendary. While it is not recommended for safety reasons, there are many other rainy day activities for couples which you can do to keep yourself occupied. Do not let the rain be a spoil sport, have fun, indulge, and think out of the box to take your relationship to the next level.

10 Ways to Say I Love You

10 ways to say I love you, without saying a word, is an interesting concept to express your feelings to your loved one at all times. If you want to try out cute ways to say I love you, then continue reading.

It is always a pleasure to be in love. You always catch yourself smiling for no reason. There is always just one person on your mind. You love to do the things that you hated, just to make the one you love happy. However, one of the most difficult things to say is three simple words, 'I Love You'. It is said actions speak larger than words, therefore you can try some cute ways to say I love you without words. You can try some funny ways to say I love you apart from the traditional methods. The following paragraphs will discuss 10 ways to say I love you, that will help you get your feelings across.

Cute Ways to Say I Love You

The following 10 ways to say I love you work like magic and help you build stronger bonds with your lover. It helps one open the communication door and spread the word of care and love. The following 10 ways to say I love you will give you some interesting anecdotes to spread love in your relationship. •I adore you, honey
•I live for you.
•Every minute, every second, I want to live with you.
•You are my lifeline
•Just a thought of you, brings a 100 watt smile on my face
•My world is a much better place, since the day you became mine.
•You’re my nebulizer. Without you, I can’t breathe.
•You’re the person I can spend hours quietly sitting with and feel like I’ve had the best conversation.
•There are moments in life that I will always remember. Not because they were important, but because you were there.
•I give the same guarantee as the baby shampoo: ‘no more tears’.

10 Ways to Say I Love You without Words

Your partner already knows you love him/her as you often find yourself saying I love you. However, there is something more than saying just a simple 'I love you'. That part is the non-verbal part that you can inculcate and show your affection. Not all men are comfortable saying I love you, or receiving a verbal I love you. Women just love the little extra effort taken by their man to show he loves her. This is the time when one should try out simple yet cute ways to say I love you without words. The following are 10 ways to say I love you that will help you express your emotions without sounding loud and repetitive.

Burn the Fire of Romance
You can send your spouse or partner a simple card that says 'I love you' at their office. Or just tuck in the card under their pillow, while they are asleep. They will be absolutely happy to find the card when they wake up and to see a loving, I love you note from you. Or you can set the card at a place where they are bound to notice your I love you card. Like the kitchen table, dressing table, their work station or use a magnet and stick it on the refrigerator door. The idea is to let your partner know you love them, especially at times when they least expect those three magic words.

Love You Chit Treasure
You can bring home different colored papers and write a romantic message on each one of them. Make sure you make about 30 such romantic notes and keep them around the house, one each every day. This way your partner will find new love notes around the house. This will surely brighten up, not just their day but, the entire month. They will look forward to these love notes with different romantic messages written in them. You can get some idea about love notes for him and use them to build a healthy relationship.

Good Morning Toast
You can use a toast stamper that says I love you or has some cute hearts over it. Just press it slightly over the bread and toast it. The bread will be toasted with the impressions that says 'I love you'. This will be a highly personalized breakfast that your partner will love eating. This is an excellent way to start their day on a romantic note.

Mirror, Mirror in the Shower
You can take a nice hot bath and write 'I love you' or 'You are so hot' or 'You take my breath away', on the foggy mirror. When it's time for your partner to take a bath, the mirror will fog up again, revealing your secret message. This is one of the interesting 10 ways to say I love you without words.

My Lover, the Best of the Best
Brag, that's right, brag about your partner in front of his/ her family and friends. Make sure he/ she is the center of your conversation. This is a great self confidence booster for your partner. But do not go overboard. You do not want to sound too fake, or saturate the conversation with just your partner's ability. Keep things on a medium scale and make sure you do not embarrass your partner with too much bragging.

Romantic Gestures
There are many romantic gestures of love that you can try to make your partner feel special. Just hold hands while you are out taking a walk or shopping, always maintain eye contact while you speak to your partner and make sure your body language indicates your love for him/her. Always be there to give a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen to their problems. The gesture that shows you care and are there for them always, is a good way to say I love you without words.

Everybody Loves Gifts
It's a fact that everybody loves gifts, but receiving unexpected romantic gifts from one's partner has it's own pleasure. Keep in mind the things your partner is thinking about buying. Is is a book, some piece of jewelery or maybe a some clothes. Gifting the things they were eagerly saving to buy is a great way to say I love you.

Bake a Cake
One of the romantic and cute ways to say I love you is baking a cake. You can either bake a heart shaped cake or write I love you on the cake. This will be a very romantic and sweet gesture to show that you care. Why just limit your culinary talent to a cake? If you can make chocolate, then little heart shaped candies can be gifted to your loved one. Or maybe you can try dinner ideas for two and cook some of the favorite recipes of your lover and order an exquisite wine. Create a romantic atmosphere by turning on some romantic numbers and treat your lover with some loving kisses and hugs that shows your love.

I am Doing My Best for You
If you have an annoying habit that your partner just hates like smoking, try to overcome it. Make sure you remember to throw the trash, or pick up your dirty socks and linen and put them in the appropriate place. Your efforts to overcome a habit that irritates your partner is a nice way to show you love them. Changing yourself for someone can be one of the best way to say I love you.

My Heart is Filled with Your Love
Before your partner comes home from work, make a big heart of rose petals near the door. Leave a trail of rose petals leading to the bedroom. Complete the trail with a big 'I Love You' using the rose petals on the bed. This is a very romantic way to show your love and seal your love with a very passionate kiss on your lover's lips.

This was all about some relationship advice that will help rekindle your love and keep the fire of romance burning in your life. There are more things to do and show your emotions apart from these 10 ways to say I love you. Hope the above paragraphs have helped give you a few tips to express yourself to your loved one.

By Batul Nafisa Baxamusa

Celebrity News Weddings/Engagements

According to TMZ, Eddie Griffin is a married man! The Undercover Brother actor got in touch with his frugal side for his walk down the aisle. Eddie Griffin and Nia Rivers have exchanged vows in Vegas! The pair married last Thursday in front of a grand total of four guests according to TMZ, dropping $199 for the 'cherish special'



Newlyweds Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick.

WEDDING guests partied into the early hours of this morning to toast newlyweds Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick.

Even the deluge of rain couldn't dampen this momentous day.

Alan's co-star on Celebrity Salon, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, was one of the last to leave and was spotted struggling with her stunning blue dress in puddles of rain early this morning after the party wound up -- and she had a laugh after getting into the driver's seat of a waiting taxi by mistake.

The happy couple tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony at the Unitarian Church in Dublin's city centre. Both wore designer dress suits and matching cravates -- Karl in charcoal grey and Alan in a lighter shade of grey.


Emotional

"We are doing something that comes natural. This should be the normal thing in the world," Mr Broderick, a composer, said as the pair arrived in a chauffeur-driven Bentley at 2.45pm.

The rain stayed off long enough for guests to be photographed outside the church.

But there were waterworks at the ceremony as an emotional Alan (43) struggled to overcome the nerves on their special day.

"We waited 16 years for this day and we wanted to do it in Ireland," said the Ireland AM star. "I lost it totally during the ceremony. It was beautiful."

Taking a leaf out of the recent British royal wedding, two bridesmaids, Hughes's sister Doreen Freeman and Broderick's sister Ann Broderick, wore white and clutched pink and purple posies. Celebrity guests included RTE's Derek Mooney and most of TV3's big names -- Ireland AM's Mark Cagney, Sinead Desmond, Aidan Cooney and new mum Anna Daly, who looked radiant in a bohemian black dress.

Stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick performed a reading at the wedding along with TV3 producer Debbie O'Donnell.

The reception was at the Mansion House -- but the real party kicked off at 7.30pm, when 150 showbiz guests were invited to join in celebrations at the afters.

Friends ripped up the dancefloor when X Factor darling Mary Byrne and Eurovision singer Niamh Kavanagh took to the stage. The couple will honeymoon in the US.

clairemurphy@herald.ie

- Claire Murphy



'Mindfreak' Criss Angel Engaged!

Rock-star magician Criss Angel is engaged! The Vegas illusionist proposed to his girlfriend Sandra Gonzalez and got engaged in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on September 7, reports People.com.

"The couple is ecstatic," Angel's rep tells the magazine.

Angel met Gonzalez four years ago while on the set of his series Mindfreak. He proposed to her with a 5-carat diamond and platinum ring that he helped design along with jeweler Idayne Kaye.


Ne-Yo Is Engaged

R&B megstar, Ne-Yo is engaged -- and about to be a father again. The "Closer" singer is set to wed his longtime girlfriend, Atlanta boutique owner Monyetta Shaw, and the two are expecting their second child together, their rep confirmed to Us magazine.


Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, first became a dad in November 2010 when Shaw gave birth to their daughter Madilyn Grace. And according to insiders, the second baby is due very soon -- in October. Ne-Yo was pretty excited last fall when his first daughter was born. "She's healthy and happy. Feels like I'm in luv for the first time," he tweeted at the time. "Welcoming that lil' girl to the world last night defined for me what 'willing to kill and die for' truly means. My world, my life, all hers."

No word yet on when their wedding will take place.

Bachelor Party Games

It's your friend's last night of bachelorhood before he enters a new phase of his life filled with extra responsibilities and duties. You've got to give him a great farewell party. A bachelor party has to be planned well, so that it can be executed even better. The most important part of such a party are the bachelor party games. These games are the life of a party, which make the party worth dancing all night long. Let's see what are some of the bachelor party games and bachelorette party games too!

Bachelor Party Games for Men

Cheers!!
A bachelor party cannot be started without intoxicated souls. After all, it's the only way the groom-to-be can lose all his inhibitions and follow his intuitions. Drinking games are the way to begin games for bachelor party. 'Name It', is a great game to start with. Place a pot at the center and make all the participants (everyone participates) contribute a bit of alcohol to the pot from their glasses. The groom starts, by naming a famous personality. The next, person names a celebrity, with the last letter of the previously said name. Say, the first name is 'David Beckham', the next has to begin with 'm'. The one who misses, has to drink the pot and start over. The person has to keep drinking till he comes up with a name. Wonder what names crop up after high levels of intoxication!

Poker
A grand game of poker with real money to bet, is a night long of conniving fun! This way you can have the classic stripper idea at the party too. A variation can be made with lap dancers. With choices galore, poker definitely qualifies in the list of bachelor party games ideas. The exotic performances for the 'last rites' of bachelorhood, are sly and can lead to some steamy secrets contrary to the next day's wedding vows. So what's going to be Mr Groom's strategy to hold himself clean?!

Movie Night
If you've been scandalized by the aforementioned ideas, don't worry. Clean bachelor party games do exist. This idea is not a game, but just a plain idea. A guys night-in to watch some of the guy-favorites. Matrix, Die Hard, Hangover, The Bachelor Party and just make your call. Order some pizza, nachos and store huge amounts of movie snacks for a night of virtual entertainment. If this gets boring, grab your keys and hit the road to hop clubs for the last time.

Trivia
It just takes a tad bit of romantic trivia to make bachelorette party games. List down some trivia of her husband-to-be such as: 'what's his favorite color?', 'what's his favorite song?' and so on. These are basically questions that never matter. With one wrong answer, the bride-to-be has to down a glass of beer. To get the others hammered, pass on the questions about bride to the guests. You can frame questions such as, 'what is her favorite cuisine?', 'which is her favorite movie?' and so on. Get the absolute trivia to make these questions, as getting all them sloshed is the aim. The real fun bachelor party games, begin post the spirits are high!

Get more of •Unique Bachelorette Party Ideas
•Bachelorette Party Ideas
So these were some of the fun bachelor party games. Don't get yourself stuck in the rut of party decorations and party invitations. Disposing them is another problem and you can pretty much invite everyone on the phone. Just make sure you have the right plan, enough supplies and an inexhaustible verve for a party!

By Mukta Gaikwad

Bachelorette Party Idea - The Last Hoorah

She's on her way out! You're losing one of the girls to the married life and it's up to you to make sure that she has one last great night of being single before slipping on that gold band. Planning a bachelorette party is not something that you will want to take lightly, make sure it's a night that she will think of fondly for years to come. When putting the event together, keep the special guest to be in mind. Is she a wild child or a mild-mannered lady? It's supposed to be a night designed just for her so keep her personality in mind or it could end up being a night she is eager to forget (and not for the good reasons).

Bachelorette Party Idea #1 - Name it with your best shot!

Most likely alcohol will be served at the bachelorette party, why not make a game of it by creating unique (possibly naughty) names for shoots? To play, have each guest come up with their own shoot recipe and corresponding name. The party girl to come up with the best shoot name wins a naughty prize!.

Party Idea #2 - Run a Tight Ship

A bachelorette party is a large event and, if you're planning one , it's iessential that you are organized. Create a list of everything that needs to be done (making the guestlist, sending out invites, shopping for supplies, making reservations, renting transportation, etc.). It's a good decision to start making your preparations weeks ahead to ensure that you have the time to set everything up. Putting a party together in a rush can end up being messy and, well, an unsuccessful endeavor. Get started early and try getting some mutal friends to help you with the process.

Bachelorette Idea #3 - Party Like You've Never Partied Before!

Bachelorette party ideas all seem the same these days. You see it all the time, a giant group of women all gussied up and out at the bars, giggling and cutting up like schoolgirls. One of the best tips on putting together a bachelorette party that you can get is to be unique. It's a great idea to throw a theme party; tell all of the ladies to dress alike (as cowgirls, flapper girls, Hollywood stars, etc.). Then, hit up venues that you don't usually frequent. In other words, don't dine at the same restaurants or drink and dance at the same bars and clubs that you always frequent. This is your girl's last night out being single, don't turn it into the same old song & dance!

Bachelorette Party Idea #4 - Don't Leave Anyone Out!

People get married everyday but it's not everday that one of your best buds ties the knot! It's up to you to make sure she gets a proper dismissal from singlehood. First things first, make sure that you get all of her favorite gals together to celebrate. Make a guest list (don't forget her work buddies, her female relatives, and her fiance's female relatives). When you send out those bachelorette party invitations you don't want to forget anyone important. It's a great idea to call her mother or sister and confirm that you haven't left out any important invitees.

Idea for the bachelorette party #5 - Good Girls Have Fun Too

Just like every authority figure probably told you when you were young, you don't need booze and drugs to have fun. You don't have to throw a ridiculously wild bachelorette party! Remember that the most important reason for putting the event together is so that the future bride can spend valuable time with all of her favorite women. Some of the best bachelorette parties can be ones where you just hang out together, talking and enjoying the company. If the future bride isn't a wild girl, consider throwing a a tea party, a sleepover, or even a ladies' night gossip and movie night. Nice, innocent fun with the ladies might be all the bride-to-bereally wants...remember that.

Tip #6 - Steppin' Out in Style

Call up all the ladies, it's now time for a hardcore bachelorette party! Don't let your friend merely fade out of the single life, send her out with a spectacle! If you're plotting to go all out, however, be intelligent about it. If you know they'll be drinking arrange enough designated drivers to get the group home safely. If this seems unlikely, hire transportation (it will cost next to nothing if everyone chips in). It's a special occasion so why not go all out and rent a party bus or limo? The lasie will not only have a personal chauffer but you'll be riding around the town in style. And, to sweeten the deal, you'll get door-to-door service and won't have to worry about searching for parking or walking from the lots!

Idea #7 - Take it Down a Notch

So, you've been elected to orchestrate all of the bachelorette party planning, what do you do now? Plan your evening out wisely and cerefully, that's what. Many bachelorette parties end up out on the town and that's always a good time. Before letting loose and gettin' buck wild, however, begin the evening slowly. Make some reservations at a nice restaurant or arrange a dinner at someone's house before going out to party. Enjoy a delicious meal and give everyone a chance to catch up or get acquainted before things get out of control. This is also the best time to pass out party favors, and let the future bride open her gifts. Everyone will be able to see what's going on and there won't be any shouting over loud music.

Idea #8 - A Hungover Bride Isn't a Pretty Picture

A bachelorette party is a the future bride's last night to let loose. All of her best female friends and relatives join together to make sure that her final night out as a single woman is memorable (or, ahem, not so very memorable). If you're plotting to take your gal pal out for a long night of dancing, drinking, and strippers for her "final night" as a single lady, don't be too literal. Among the best tips on planning a bachelorette party (if not the very best tip) is not to arrange to have the fiesta the night directly before the big wedding day! It is in the future bride's best interest to arrive at her wedding having had a good night's sleep and looking stunning. If she's been out all night the night before, she's going to look like death! Don't let this happen to her! Have the bachelorette party at least seven days before the big day, the bride will definitely thank you down the road.

Idea #9 - Plan an Event to Remember

Are all of the tips on planning a bachelorette party that you've been hearing sounding like a broken record? That's probably because the majority of bachelorette parties nowadays are basically the same. A group of girls get together to embarrass their gal pal before her wedding day. There is typically a lot drinking, a stretch limo, and, of course, buff strippers. It may be a the bees knees that evening but what will the bride think about it when she looks back in the years to come? Will she remember any of it? The main point of a bachelorette party event is to spend some time with the future bride before she leaves the single life forever, why not make the bachelorette party memorable? Try doing something unique and exciting! Plan an activity that the bride has never experienced before and surprise her with the plans. Think white water rafting, sky diving, spelunking, cliff diving, or even parasailing. Not her idea of fun? If you want a milder adventure, arrange a lovely luncheon followed by a breathtaking hot air balloon ride through the clouds. Make it an occassion she'll always keep close to her heart.

Idea #10 - Wilderness Girls

Want to put together a wild bachelorette party? Get wild...literally and plan a nature event, a hike through a wooded area or the mountains. There are hiking areas all over the place, even if you have to drive a few hours. Pack up your gear and head to the great outdoors. It's a fantastic idea to pack a great lunch (picnic lunches work best) to enjoy midday. If you want to truly rough it , camp in the woods for the night and enjoy the stars. If traipsing about in the wilderness for a day is about all you can take, however, reserve a hotel (or motel) nearby. If you're lucky enough to be in the vicinity of a charming bed and breakfast, don't miss out on that experience.

Idea #11 - Hold on Tight

Want to plan a genuinely unique bachelorette party? If strippers and drinking aren't you're idea of a good time, try doing something exciting and challenging instead. White water rafting can be a wonderful bonding experience for the bride-to-be and all of her fvorite ladies. There are many locations where you can enjoy white water rafting but why not go somehwere where someone else does the work for you? All-Outdoors Rafting (www.aorafting.com) in Walnut Creek, California is one of the best places to hit the water. After you make a reservation they arrange the event for you and even send out the invites. In addition, they provide meals, equipment, and shuttles to the area. They also give the bride a great T-shirt as well as a waterproof camera to help her document the event. If the Bay area in California is too far to swing for a bachelorette party, search the Internet for more convenient locations. Don't forget to inquire about special packages for parties!

Spa - Magazine Presents - WIN a trip for 2 to Puerto Vallarta!

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What stories will you bring back?

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Bachelorette Party Themes

Bachelorette parties are known by different names such as hen night, hen do, hen party, etc. Such kind of parties are known as kitchen tea and 'stagette' in South Africa and Canada respectively. The bachelorette party is organized to bid farewell to a bride-to-be. The origin of bachelorette parties can be traced back to the 1960s, known as the period of sexual revolution. The concepts of gender equality had an influence in the development of the 'bachelorette party culture'. The bachelorette party themes and games mentioned below will help in celebrating in a fun way.

Good Bachelorette Party Themes
Nowadays, entertainment is the prime factor that influences bachelorette parties. The following themes will help in organizing a nice party.

Weekend Spa
A weekend spa event can be organized for a bachelorette party. It is one of the best bachelorette party theme ideas. Given that women are interested in activities like manicure, makeovers, etc. a weekend party at the spa would be great. One should look for a spa which provides as many services as possible; massages, mud wraps and many such services offered by the spa. Such spas would suit the needs/wishes of a variety of people. Thus, these are some ideas for a rocking bachelorette party.

Roman Theme
The Roman theme can be a nice way to celebrate a bachelorette party. It is one of those unique bachelorette party themes which gives a different touch to the regular/normal night outs. The decorations for this party should have a feel of ancient Rome. One can use Roman costumes for this party theme. Roses can be used for decorations. The place at which the party is being conducted, should look spacious. To add fun to the party, the waiter being hired should be made to wear traditional Roman costumes. One can also turn this party into a surprise party for the bride-to-be and add fun to it.


Tea Party
Arranging a tea party at home would be a nice idea to celebrate, except that the party should have something special. Organizing a grand, Victorian style party for the bride-to-be would definitely please her. The menu for such parties will include finger sandwiches, scones, petit fours, etc. There is no need to go for an expensive hotel. A rich and well-organized party can be held at home itself.

Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt theme though seems like a children's affair, one should definitely try this theme. It will create a lively atmosphere. A treasure hunt game complete with map and clues will help generate interest among people and the idea would prove to be an instant hit. Keeping prizes for winners and arranging for celebrations other than the scavenger hunt will make the party a fun-filled activity.

History of Bachelorette Parties
Bachelorette party is the function in which ladies gather together to wish the bride-to-be and have some fun time. The concept of bachelorette parties was modeled from the long tradition of bachelor parties. Organizing bachlorette parties was not very common till the mid-1980s. In the year 1998, a book about planning bachelorette parties was published. Thus, we can say that it is a relatively new concept in comparison to bachelor's parties.

The bachelorette party themes presented above, are just few of the many interesting ones. One can use many more ideas and incorporate bachelorette party games in the celebrations being carried out. The given bachelorette party ideas would however, help in having fun at the party.

By Shashank Nakate

So What Do You Know About Purchasing a Diamond?

Reading all about diamond qualities is no substitute for seeing and handling diamonds for yourself. A diamond can not be judged purely on the details given on a diamond report or certificate. We have been offered many diamonds that sound fabulous on paper but when seen in real life they just don’t work.

If you are planning on purchasing a diamond, it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified as the cost of a diamond is determined by the 4 C’s which are the top most criteria one needs to become familiar with - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Please refer to the following:


CUT
The cut of a diamond allows it to make the best use of light. When a diamond is cut correctly, light is reflected from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the stone. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Please do not confuse the cut of a diamond with its shape. Diamonds can be cut into a number of shapes, depending on the qualities of the rough stone before it is cut.

The most popular diamond shapes are round, marquise, pear, emerald, oval and heart. Whatever the shape, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter. When the cut is right the diamond gives more sparkle.

Diamonds range in color from faint yellow or brown to very rare pinks, blues, greens, and other colors known as "fancies."

The best color for a diamond is no color at all. A totally colorless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, resulting in the light being dispersed as the color of the rainbow.

Colors are graded from totally colorless to light yellow. The diferences from one grade to the other are very subtle and it takes a trained eye and years of experience to color grade a diamond

CLARITY

A diamond's clarity is determined by using a 10-power magnifying glass and a trained eye.

FL Flawless - No inclusions or surface blemishes under 10 x magnification

IF Internally Flawless – no inclusions and only insignificant surface blemishes under 10x magnification.

VVS1 – VVS2 Very, Very Small inclusions – extremely difficult to see and usually only visible on a microscope or to an experienced grader with a loupe.

VS1 – VS2 Very Small inclusions, visible with 10x magnification but should still be difficult to find.

SI1 – SI2 Slightly Included, usually easily found with a loupe but still ‘eye clean’.

When viewed without magnification the difference in appearance between these clarity grades will be negligible.

I1 - I3 Included - inclusions visible to the naked eye (sometimes referred to as P1 – P3 or piqued). As these inclusions are becoming more visible they may affect the outward appearance of the diamond, the best I1 clarity diamonds will have an inclusion visible to the naked eye of a trained grader but not to the untrained eye and will still be very bright.

Most diamonds contain very tiny impurities know as "inclusions." An inclusion can interfere with the light passing through the diamond.

The fewer the inclusion, the more beautiful the diamond will be.

Diamonds have the capability of producing more brilliance than any other gemstone. A diamond that is free of inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore very valuable

CARAT-WEIGHT

This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats.

One carat is divided into 100 "points," so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 ct.

The carat-weight of a diamond is the easiest measurement to determine.

Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

Don't rush into your diamond purchase. Take your time and evaluate your choice carefully. It took thousands of years for nature to form your diamond and the skill of a master diamond cutter to bring your diamond to you. The time you spend now can bring you a lifetime of pleasure.


CERTIFICATION – Whilst most diamond reports or certificates that you will see use the same terminology the standards to which each laboratory grades can vary and the difference between the most highly regarded reports and lesser reports can in our experience be as much as two grades. If we offer a diamond for sale with a certificate it will usually be from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) or IGI (International Gemmological Institute). As non of these laboratories have a base in the UK if you would like a report to be issued on any of our non certificated diamonds we will usually use AnchorCert based in the Birmingham Assay office and this will be charged at the cost price of the certificate (usually around £40.00 -£60.00 dependant on the size of the diamond).

With Same Sex Marriage Laws Come Stunning Alternative Wedding Bands

In recent months, many states have passed groundbreaking laws allowing same sex marriage. While not yet federally recognized, the laws have allowed many people the chance to make their relationships official and even to obtain tax and health benefits that states allow to other couples. With these changes, a segment of the population that was largely excluded from the wedding community has a chance to make their love official, and with these ceremonies come a host of remarkable alternative wedding bands.

While a number of same sex couples opt for traditional wedding bands, many couples are looking to alternative jewelry. While for some the choice is in order to obtain custom matching bands, for others the choice is about finding rings that stand out and serve as a reminder of how hard they fought for the right to have what the rings symbolize. Alternative wedding bands come in a variety of designs, settings, and colors, and the choices are nearly infinite.

One popular trend among same sex couples is to purchase matching bands or rings for their wedding. Many of these bands share a common inscription, which may be on the inside or the outside of the ring. The inscriptions vary, from names and dates to sentimental phrases, literary quotes, biblical verses, and more. Other couples opt for matching rings with symbols of gender or traditional wedding symbols, such as the Claddagh.

Another common trend among current same sex couples is to choose matching settings and use alternative stones rather than diamonds. The most popular stones chosen are for each member of the couple to use the other’s birthstone. This creates beautiful rings that mark a special occasion in a unique way.

Many same sex couples also consider rings with six differently colored stones representing the rainbow, which is considered a symbol of gay pride. When these rings are made with real gemstones, they are both exceptionally beautiful and quite valuable. For couples unable to afford these gemstone bands, there are alternatives made with simulated stones.

Perhaps the most popular ring style among same sex couples is the band. While the band can be simple or elegant, it does not contain protruding stones. This is for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Many people do not enjoy protruding stones that immediately draw the eye, and in many professions they are considered hazardous and even forbidden. They can quickly snag on gloves and machinery and can present a risk to wearers, patients, and coworkers. This has helped to increase the popularity of alternative wedding bands.

While many people can not wear rings with three dimensional stones, many couples still seek rings that offer more than a simple, single colored band. Many alternative wedding bands feature a combination of two or more metals in a pattern. This can be anything from black titanium and platinum to a combination of white and yellow gold. Designs range from simple stripes to intricate Celtic knot designs and gay pride symbols.

There is really no shortage to the designs that can be implemented on alternative wedding bands. Many same sex couples elect to create their own custom wedding bands in order to have a set of rings that is truly unique to them. These couples have waited a long time, some of them an entire lifetime of sixty years or more for this day, knowing that they may never see it, and the desire for everything to be perfect means the creation of the perfect wedding rings.

While not yet legal across the nation, a few states have set forth this groundbreaking legislation. Political arguments aside, these laws allow for numerous happy couples to finally have the chance to walk down the aisle and pledge their lives to the person they love. While each ceremony is still considered groundbreaking and each couple still feels incredibly lucky to take part, at the heart of every ceremony is a simple exchange of vows and rings that symbolize the culmination of many years of struggling. With the exchange of these alternative wedding bands, these couples can take a look at their ring fingers and know two very important things; they have finally been able to legally promise to spend their lives with the ones they love, and they were truly a part of changing history.

With the legalization of what has long been called an “alternative lifestyle”, it is only fitting that there is commonly an exchange of what we consider alternative wedding bands. Not the three dimensional, diamond studded bands that are expected at most weddings, but quieter, more subtle, and often with stones embedded inside the band, these rings are unique and often one (or two) of a kind. They seem to make a perfect way to mark a union so unique and so desperately fought for.

Celebrity weddings

Marriage is said to be a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters in prose. After all there is something about a wedding gown that is prettier than any other gown in the world. Kenyan celebrities and personalities are jumping the broom as the touch of love makes lovers, poets, writes STEVENS MUENDO

There were three major celebrity weddings planned across East Africa over the last weekend. Former president Moi graced Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s son wedding in Nairobi. Uganda’s royal family led another in Kampala. The third one slated for Arusha was the wedding that never was.

It has been another season of celebrity weddings. In fact, Nairobi witnessed more than five celebrity weddings in a span of four weeks. There are seven more (those known to Pulse) on the cards, before the end of the year.

Besides the glamour and accompanying joy, for some, what was an eagerly awaited start to a new life seems to have turned into a puzzle with tears and cursing replacing the jubilation. As Pulse broke it last week, the secret female celebrity wedding hatched behind closed doors failed to take off. The botched secret wedding is now plastered on Internet blogs for the whole world to see.

Whoever coined the adage "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," must have been a genius! (Actually, it was Shakespeare).

The much-hyped Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Barbara Itungo wedding, which took place in Kampala has everyone talking, just as does the Raila Junior and Yvonne Kibukosya’s holy union, which took place in Nairobi last weekend.

A story is told of how, during the Buganda queen’s wedding, a Lexus bought for the wedding and estimated at about 100,000 dollars (Sh9,273,060) could not be used because her dress was too low for her highness to climb the heavy machine.

Apparently, the organising committee had to order for another car for her, a sedan.

And in a move to keep the royal tradition, celebrated Ugandan artiste Bobi Wine, who hails from the royal Buganda Kingdom had warned that his would be the wedding of the year and set aside about Sh30 million for the lavish affair.

The bride, Barbara Itungo, a daughter of a reputable gospel minister, donned silver stilettos and a beautiful long flowing gown designed to expose the tattoo of the Bad Man from Kamwokya slums, the street credibility tag for Ghetto President.

The multiple-award winning star was clad in a well-tailored white tuxedo, a magnificent black-stripped tie and a blending white long sleeved shirt.

It was a bountiful ‘invites only’ glamourous affair attended by members of the royal Kabaka’s court, government leaders, politicians, dignitaries and celebrated artistes among others.

The royal accord not withstanding, Bobi Wine’s usual controversy reared its ugly head during the wedding mass. The singer took the microphone and shamelessly took a swipe at his singing counterpart Jose Chameleone, who was in the gathering together with his wife. The uncalled for attack was centred on Chameleone’s recent temporal conversion to Islam. Even though he did not answer back, a disillusioned Chameleone did not even join his wife Daniella Otim when the mass lined up for Eucharist. The drama went on. After the presiding archbishop asked Bobi Wine to make a wish, he went on to ask God to bless him with twins on top of the couple’s three kids.

That was not all. There was a long motorcade convoying outside the church, as the newly weds proceeded to the wedding reception. There was one horse carriage, two Hummers, two Benzes, two limousines, two Escalades among other state-of-the art whips. A queue of outriders and boda boda cyclists led the procession. Halfway, the horse pulling the couple’s magnificent carriage stubbornly came to a stop and would not make another step; and since no one was willing to whip the stalled ‘mule’, the couple was forced to jump into one of the whips, all the way to the five star Serena Hotel.

Back in Nairobi, the love affair between the Prime Minister’s son Raila Junior and Yvonne Kibukosya, the daughter of a famous musical family was underway. It had only been three weeks since Machel Waikenda, one of the directors of leading showbiz outfit had tied the knot with Rose Njoroge, his love of many years during a colourful ceremony attended by former First Lady Mama Ngina and members associated to the first family.

And in what seemed to be a show of who owns Kenya, the country’s political power weights who include former President Moi were on the Prime Minister’s side as his second-born son said "I do" to Yvonne.

Wedding bells chimed, crowds cheered and even the sun put in an auspicious appearance on a rather dull Nairobi August day, as the bride walked down the aisle to take her bridegroom’s arm.

Wearing a broad smile, a gold and an ivory gown with lace applique, Yvonne Kibukosya – now Yvonne Raila, amid the pomp and pageantry the Prime Minister’s family prides itself on — took to the tune of the soft playing piano, every step calculated to stir up the emotions of the moment. Before a battery of journalists who jostled to take account of the momentous hour, Yvonne played her part to perfection. She looked every inch the princess in the fairytale the ceremony had been assembled to be.

The total cost was estimated at Sh10 million. According to our source, the initial family ceremonies, one of which was hosted at the Odinga’s Bondo home and another one in Nairobi, at a hefty sum of Sh30million.

Yvonne is the daughter of Gido Kibukosya, a rekown producer.

Still in Nairobi, award-winning secular singer turned gospel star Dennis Kaggia aka DNA of the Banjuka fame was also at it with his lover Ruth Wangu Munyue now Ruth Waweru.

"The two wanted a simple wedding and that is why they kept a low profile, never making it a big issue before the press," Tina Kaggia, the young sister to DNA told Pulse.

Days are gone when Kenyan celebrities made their wedding day a big deal, the way Nameless and Wahu did a day short of six years today. Besides avoiding a big guest list due to the harsh economic times, many musicians have witnessed celebrity marriages collapse barely a year after making the vows, to public disgrace. With this trepidation, and fear of the unknown, most celebrities have decided to go it the quiet way.


Only family, close friends and church members were aware of Mo Sound CEO and Groove Awards founder Kevin Mulei’s wedding, which took place at Safari Park Hotel in June.

He married a former Miss Kenya 2003 title holder, Janet Kibugu . A week later, it was turn for his friend DJ Soxxy (Jackson Kamau) who tied the knot with Anne Waichigo.

Machel’s wedding, which was held in Karen eight months after the proposal, was equally not much publicised. there is Lenah Ochieng’ of the Zaidi ya Mziki gospel group (recall hit single Fundi wa Mbao) who married his high school lover Laura Wahito.

Signs of a Good Relationship

There are a few signs of a good relationship shown by both partners when they want their relationship to work. This positivity is mentioned in the form of an article put together just for you, take a look.


Does he get you flowers? Does she blush when she sees you? Is he protective? Is she your best friend? There are so many beautiful things about healthy relationships, that you cherish and hate to imagine your life without. From the time you meet each other, till you realize there is no one else who understands and knows you better, every moment (bad or good) is special. Every time you see the person you love, you feel that rush you felt when you saw him/her for the first time.

Call it cliché, but that's how love is! It's old fashioned and cheesy, but crazy and wild. It makes you do stupid things, but pulls you out of them just as easily. It gives you butterflies in your tummy as well as the strength to stand up for it before the world. When you have experienced all this for one person, you are surely in a relationship which you don't want to end. Thus, to find some signs of a good relationship, take a look at the following paragraphs.

What are the Signs of a Good Relationship?

When you are in a relationship, there are many aspects which take the front seat in your life. With many priorities and preferences changing, you get to decide if you are in a relationship, which is worth moving forward with. There are also a few factors on which relationships depend and when you face certain situations together, you realize the depths of your feelings. Many a times, couples confuse the early signs of a good relationship to be constant throughout, but end up disappointed with unfulfilled expectations that follow. What makes a good relationship is, to take things very slowly and find out if both of you are in the same emotional place at the same time. It is also necessary to find out if both of you want to continue this way. Mentioned below are a few signs of a good relationship which you will notice if you are in one.

Traits of a Good Relationship
As mentioned earlier there are a few factors on which a good relationship resides and these are very important for any of them. You can definitely use these as good relationship tips if you want to improve on what you have.

Traits of a Good Relationship
As mentioned earlier there are a few factors on which a good relationship resides and these are very important for any of them. You can definitely use these as good relationship tips if you want to improve on what you have.

Respect
Showing respect to each other is a very important factor in every relationship. If you think that you are above each other depending on many reasons, you will never be happy. When you get prejudice in between you, you will never respect each other for who you are. Therefore, make sure you treat your partner as an adult and respect him/her.

Loyalty
Being loyal to each other is also one of the important signs of a good relationship. If you are having second thoughts about being in one, get out of it as soon as possible since you will only make things worse for the later. But if you are sure about sticking to your partner for a lifetime, my relationship advise would be, stay loyal and don't let the world affect you.

Trust
Having faith in each other is the biggest need of any good relationship. Don't have doubts about your partner if you trust each other and have confessed it. But taking advantage of that trust to indulge in unruly things is also not advised. If you want a future with someone, you have to earn their trust which is the hardest thing to do once you lose it. Infidelity (emotional and physical), is a very common fear many couples live with.

Dependability
When you are in a relationship, you also have to make sure if your partner is worth depending on emotionally, more than financially. If there is no maturity in the relationship and understanding that you share, you will never be able to go through life with each other. To depend on someone as a friend first and then a lover for understanding circumstances and situations is more important for any individual mind.

Space
The last thing you would find in every good relationship is the affection you have for the other person. You can have major relationship issues, if space is absent. When you are affectionate, you won't find it difficult to provide the required amount of space in it. You can't create a suffocating environment for anyone, as you have to respect a certain breathing space that person needs.

In conclusion I would say, there is nothing called a perfect relationship as imperfections are what makes it perfect. However, with these signs of a good relationship you can surely think about improving yours and cherishing what you have, as you may not have it tomorrow.

By Aparna Jadhav

Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas

Wedding anniversary party ideas will make the celebration of your anniversary a memorable one. Plan well, to have an anniversary party that will go down in the history books!

Anniversaries are the annual celebrations of the continuation of love. Wedding anniversaries are to be celebrated with friends and families, who were there with you to witness your matrimony. Indeed, wedding anniversaries parties have to be great ideas, so that they can be cherished over a long time. Wedding anniversaries party ideas make the most special event of your life, memorable. Wedding anniversaries party ideas range from romantic, fun, sentimental, creative, traditional or just a plain simple, to celebrate the union of the two souls in love!

Whether 1st or the 50th, every anniversary brings a unique element to the relationship tied by marriage. It makes you understand each other more than ever, it teaches you to love the person as he/she is, it helps you to grow and gives you an opportunity to fall in love all over again. Turn these moments of your life into evergreen memories, with brilliant 25th wedding anniversary party ideas to 50th wedding anniversary party ideas.

Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas
The following wedding anniversary party ideas will be a riot of fun and frolic. Let's begin..

50th wedding anniversary party ideas, are the only way you can begin the golden year of marriage. Congratulations for reaching a half century with your better half. The 50th year is symbolized by gold. Ideas for 50th wedding anniversary party should entail setting up the venue with the traditional symbolic color. Decorate the venue with the brilliance of gold. Tie the chairs up in golden tulle, use china with golden rims and serve drinks with a golden tinge. After living together for 50 years, the material possessions hold lesser value than the intangible gifts. Make the couple renew their wedding vows in the same church where they got married 50 years ago. Recreate the magic of that occasion with the help of old photographs and unforgettable memories!

25th wedding anniversary party ideas will make the jubilation, go down as unerasable in the memory lane. By the grace of god, the couple has spent 25 years together, which is why they deserve super innovative ideas for a 25th wedding anniversary party. Arrange a belly dancing competition, the winner gets the bride or the groom! You can give out prizes like the 'most voluptuous one', 'the best dancer' and 'the worst dancer'. Definitely, everyone present, from a child to the oldest member of the family, will enjoy this party.

1st wedding anniversary party ideas are extremely close to the heart. It is the first year that you have spent together, as a couple, discovered one another's attributes, loved one another's flaws and grown up together. The union has to celebrated, though deciding some fantastic 1st wedding anniversary party ideas will need a deliberate effort. Throw a surprise party for the love of your life, with just the two of you. Book a movie theater, take her/him out for ballroom dancing. Another brilliant idea, is to book a private beach for a weekend and sail on a cruise, on a moonlit night. Definitely, your love will be floored by such romantic ideas for anniversary. To celebrate the 1st wedding anniversary, you can invite all your friends over and go out for whitewater river rafting. They surely would be an adventure, until the next time you decide to celebrate!

For all those who think that they are too old to have a wild party for their wedding anniversary, here's an advise: wedding anniversary parties should get bigger as the years pass by! Put on your thinking caps and think of some unique and never-done-before wedding anniversary party ideas. Whether it's arranging a party for your friends or throwing one yourself, having fun is the only motto! So go ahead and party all the way to glory, to mark another year lived with your love, who has made the bond eternal and forever!

By Mukta Gaikwad

Unique Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Years

Wedding anniversary, be it the 1st or the 60th, is a memorable day for a couple. Here is some information about the unique wedding anniversary gift ideas to celebrate the occasion.

Wedding anniversary is one of the most cherishing moments in every couple's life. It recalls the memories of marriage, the very first day when both when both the partners are tied together into a precious bond of longer-lasting relationship. With each passing year, your emotional attachment with your spouse grows stronger. Wedding anniversary is the right time to express how much you care for your partner. You can take your day off from the busy schedules and plan your anniversary in a blissful way to make it a memorable occasion. Giving romantic gifts and fulfilling your partner's wishes is a perfect way to celebrate this occasion.

On the occasion of wedding anniversary, the couple receives special gifts that suit to the anniversary year from their relatives and friends. While buying the gifts, it is always better to consider the likes and dislikes of the couple. There are certain gift ideas, either traditional or modern that are meant for a particular anniversary year. However, these gift ideas are different with respect to the tradition of a particular country. Let's take a look at the unique wedding anniversary gift ideas by years.

1st Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: If you are planning to buy a first wedding anniversary gift for the couple, then you can opt for traditional paper gifts or modern clocks. Some popular paper gifts are personalized items like books, novels, art, gift certificates, photo albums, scrapbooks and decorative plants. A list of gift clocks includes wristwatches, wall clocks and mantel clocks. The couples can consider buying matching watches for each other, as a token of love.

5th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: As per tradition, the gift theme for the 5th wedding anniversary is wood; whereas, the modern theme is silverware. There are many items of wood that you can give to the couple, some of which are wooden furniture, decorative plant in a wooden vase, photo gifts, wooden sculpture, wall hangings and other decorative wooden pieces. Silverware gifts include jewelry items and/or crockery items like silverware plates, bowls, teapots etc. Giving crafts made from wood and silverware is also a good idea.

10th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: The 10th wedding anniversary traditional gift is either tin or aluminum and the modern gift theme is diamond. If you are looking for a traditional gift, you can opt for a pewter (made of 85-99 percent tin) plate or aluminum cookware. If your budget is high enough, then you can consider buying a diamond jewelry.

25th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: This is the silver wedding anniversary of the couple, which is worth a celebration. Like other wedding anniversaries, this has both traditional and modern themes. While silver is the traditional gift for the 25th anniversary, sterling silver is the modern gift theme. Most popular gift items are silver champagne glasses, photo albums and frames, silver showpieces, jewelry box, silver-bordered wall clock and candle holders. Whether the gift is small or large, the silver wedding anniversary day is a precious moment, traditionally celebrated with close friends and families.

35th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: The traditional theme for 35th wedding anniversary gift is coral; whereas, the modern theme is of jade. Coral and jade jewelries are the best gift options for the couple who have spent 35 years together. Other gift alternatives for the couple are jade sculptures, coral stone gifts, serving trays, home decorative items and baby jade bonsai plants.

50th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: The 50th wedding anniversary is called the golden anniversary and is a big occasion. Only fortunate couples get the chance to celebrate together the 50th year of their wedding. Since it is the golden anniversary, gold is the gift theme. For such a lucky couple, you can give gold jewelry, gold plated spectacles, photo frame and wrist watches.

60th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas: The 60th wedding anniversary, referred to as the diamond wedding anniversary, should be celebrated with a bang. The gift theme for the 60th wedding anniversary is diamond as per both the traditional and the modern ideas. Some of the best diamond gift items are no doubt diamond-studded wristwatches, diamond jewelry and other diamond ornaments.

Well! These are wedding anniversary gift ideas by years that may help you in deciding the best gift for the couple. For couples (US citizens) who have spent 50 or more years together, a request can be made for sending congratulatory message from the President of the United States.

By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani

Romantic Evenings: Ideas for Planning Romantic Evening at Home

Planning romantic evenings is a great way to break your daily routine and kindle your romance. Here are some ideas for planning romantic evening at home.


You must have frequented all the gourmet restaurants in your vicinity; must have had innumerous movie dates to have romantic evenings with your partner. Are you thinking of ideas for planning romantic evening for two? It need not always be plush and luxurious in a restaurant or a club. How about having a romantic evening at home? Your home can be a perfect place for you two to have a romantic evening. All that you need is creativity and some before-hand preparation. Let us assume that you are completely aware of your partner's likes and dislikes in nearly all the aspects (if not, at least try to know his favorite food and music). If you have children, do not forget to arrange for a babysitter, in advance.

Ideas for a Romantic Evening at Home

You can have the traditional romantic evening plan with food, music and wine. Cook his favorite dishes, uncork a bottle of wine, put on some light romantic music and you have created a perfect mood of having a romantic evening! Dress up specially for the occasion as he will definitely appreciate that. This is one of the most favored romantic evening ideas!

You can have an outdoor romantic dinner in your backyard. It will be a very romantic evening in the starry night. A candle light dinner tops the list of tips for a romantic evening. Wear your cocktail dress, cook his favorite food, include a variety of desserts and also good quality wine. The candle light dinner can also be followed with a dance, if you both appreciate it. Those living in apartments can plan this in their balcony.

Even cooking can be a great activity if you have to do it, together, with your beloved. Try to cook a new recipe together. It will be a lot of fun, chopping and frying and baking together along with talking and having a lot of fun. If the dish is successful, you will really enjoy having it. If not, you can always have catered food at home as an option. Here, the process is more pleasurable than the actual product!

Some good ideas for a romantic evening also include having a bubble bath or giving each other a massage. Make sure you have lot of scented oils. You can even make it more exciting by having rose petals and scented candles. This will make your evening romantic as well as a passionate one. Having a swim together is also one of the perfect romantic evening ideas.

If you both are working types, you can just spend time together, literally doing nothing, but talking. Create the mood of nostalgia by recalling the firsts in your relationship like your first date or first kiss. You can cuddle up and spend time going through old photographs, reliving those wonderful moments. You can catch up with a romantic movie or a classical romantic novel. Just spend the 'us' time together.

The whole idea in planning romantic evenings at home is to get that much needed together time. Married couples can plan romantic evenings and revive their courtship days. Try not to exaggerate things. Having a calm and peaceful time together is the keyword. Exaggeration and complication can pressurize your partner. Just allow the romance to fill the air. Do not worry whether things will work out as planned or not. They definitely will! And if they do not, your partner will appreciate your ideas and hard work. Remember to retain an element of surprise before planning a romantic evening. Follow these romantic evening ideas and have a great and memorable time together!

By Madhura Pandit

Grooms Cakes: How to Design a Cake That's All About Him

by Just Weddings


The grooms cake has been a long-standing tradition, especially in Southern weddings. While the wedding cake was meant to represent the bride, the grooms cake was meant to represent, well, the groom. These days, couples are moving back towards that tradition of having two cakes at the wedding. Paired up with an elegant wedding cake, there is another cake with the groom's personal interests in mind. Grooms cake ideas range from sports to hobbies to patterns, depending all on what his passions are. Often the groom's cake is a surprise that is given by the bride. As tradition would have it, the cake is actually meant to be the bride's gift to her future husband.

Sports

Sports are always a classic when it comes to the groom's cake. Many men love sports and most men have at least one sport they adore. A grooms cake idea can include designs that are fashioned after a particular sport. Hockey fans, for example, can have a sheet cake decorated like an ice hockey rink – players included! Football fans can have a football field with their favorite team's logo in the center and even a scoreboard on the side with the bride and groom as the names of the teams. Baseball fans can have a cake sculpted to look like a bat and baseball cap with tickets to the wedding sticking out. If the groom has a particular team he is a fan of, a grooms cake can be carved into a team's logo or even just use the team colors as the inspiration.


Hobbies

Some men are more into a hobby than a sport. Hobbies can include gaming to fishing to yard work. Depending on the groom, you will want to at least integrate a hobby as the theme or use it as the entire cake decoration. For example, for the man that loves to fish, a large 3-D cake sculpted like a fish coming out of water is a unique selection. For men that love to play video games, a grooms cake that is carved to look like an Xbox or Playstation, with the remote included, is another popular choice.

All About Him

Sometimes it is hard to select just one thing to fashion a cake after, especially if the groom has multiple favorites on his list. Create a two-tiered cake showcasing all of the favorites of the groom. For example, have one tier focus on his career or education, while the other tier focuses on hobbies, sporting teams or even just has a list of his favorite bands written right on the cake. The more personal touches you can add to your groom's cake, the more he'll love it.

Source for sports cake: The Hudson Cakery

Source for fish cake:Cakes VA

This post was originally published on JustWeddings.org.