Wedding Trivia

National Association of Wedding Ministers

Wedding Trivia

BAD LUCK
Seeing an open grave, pig, or lizard on the way to the ceremony, or hearing a crow after dawn on the morning of the wedding are all thought to be omens of bad luck. Catching a glimpse of a monk or a nun is also thought to be a omen of misfortune because of their association with poverty and chastity.

BEST MAN TRADITION
Among the Germanic Goths of northern Europe in 200 A.D., a man usually married a woman from within his own community. However, when there were fewer women, the prospective bridegroom would capture his bride from a neighboring village. The bridegroom was accompanied by his strongest friend (or best friend), who helped him capture his bride.

BRIDAL PARTY
This term has many origins from different cultures. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom had the help of "bridesmen" or "brideknights" to help him capture and/or escort his bride. Later they would make sure that the bride got to the church and to the groom's home afterwards. The women who accompanied and assisted the bride were called "bridesmaids" or "brideswomen".

BRIDAL SHOWERS
Bridal showers were meant to strengthen the ties between the bride and her friends, provide her moral support, and help her prepare for her marriage. Gift giving at showers dates from the 1890's.

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
The tradition of bridesmaids dressing the same as each other and in similar style to the bride comes from ancient days when it was believed that evil spirits have a more difficult time distinguishing which one is the bride and putting a hex on her.

CAKE
In the 1st century B.C. in Rome, the cake was thrown at the bride or broken over her head as one of the many fertility symbols which then were a part of the marriage ceremony. Cutting the wedding cake together, still a predominant ritual at weddings, symbolizes the couple's unity, their shared future, and their life together as one. The three tiered cake is believed to have been inspired by the spire of Saint Bride's Church in London, England.

CARRYING THE BRIDE OVER THE THRESHOLD
Traditionally, the bride had to enter her new home the first time through the front door. If she tripped or stumbled while entering it was considered to be very bad luck. Hence the tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.

DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
The diamond engagement ring originated with King Maximillian who presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring in 1477 as a token of his love.

The Venetians Popularized the custom during the 15th. century. Since the diamond was the hardest and most enduring substance in nature it followed that the engagement and marriage would endure forever.

DOWRIES
As civilizations developed, political, military, and economic ties became very important to prominent families and clans. Arranged marriages were a means of cementing ties between families, middle class family businesses, and countries. A man's daughters, who were considered to be his property in those days, provided a means of securing needed alliances with other families. Thus dowries were introduced as a means attracting and securing the most beneficial family alliances possible.

ENGAGEMENT RING
In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I decreed that an engagement ring become a required statement of nuptial intent. He insisted that engagement rings had to be made of gold which signified a financial sacrifice on the part of the prospective husband.

FLOWERS
From the earliest times, brides have adorned their hair with flowers and carried bunches of flowers. Traditionally, each type of flower had a special meaning and significance in and of itself. Flowers were often thrown at the couple after the ceremony. However today, most brides pick their flowers for color and personal appeal not based on the traditional meaning of particular flowers.

The groom's flower, worn on his lapel, usually matches one of the flowers in his bride's bouquet. This tradition goes back to medieval times when knights wore the colors of their lady in tournaments.

GARTER AND BRIDAL BOUQUET TOSS
In parts of Europe during the 14th contrary, having a piece of the bride's clothing was thought to bring good luck. Guests would literally destroy the brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. In order to prevent this, brides began throwing various items to the guests - the garter belt being one of the items.

In order to avoid this problem, it became customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. With that change the bride started to toss the bridal bouquet to the unwed girls of marriageable age. Tradition says that whoever catches the bouquet shall be the next to marry. She keeps the bouquet to ensure this destiny.

GOOD LUCK
Seeing a lamb, frog, spider, black cat, or rainbows on the way to the ceremony is believed to be a sign of good luck!

GROOM'S CAKE
The tradition of a "Groom's Cake" comes from England and Ireland. There, the traditional groom's cake is a fruit cake with white icing. The groom's cake is usually served along with the traditional wedding cake. Today groom's cakes are very often chocolate instead of the traditional fruit cake.

HONEYMOON
After "kidnapping" his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A "bride price" would then be negotiated.

An earlier source is the early Jewish custom of the bride and groom spending a week together alone immediately after the marriage feast. The earliest reference to this practice is Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel.

KISS THE BRIDE
T he kiss dates back to the earliest days of civilization in the Middle East. A kiss was used as the formal seal to agreements, contracts, etc. In Ancient Rome a kiss was still being used as the legal bold to seal contracts. Hence the obvious use of the custom at the end of the wedding ceremony to "seal" the marriage vows. It also originates from the earliest times when the couple would actually make love for the first time under the eyes of half the village!

LARGEST WEDDING
It was the largest mass wedding in history, when nearly 21,000 couples from the Moonie cult all got married on the same day. The event was also 'attended' by another 9,800 couples who took their vows via a satellite link.

LONGEST MARRIAGE
Sir Temulji Nariman and his wife Lady Nariman were hitched for a grand total of 86 years, although they did have a distinct advantage over most people. Both were aged just five when they got married.

MONTH TO MARRY
According to an old legend, the month in which you marry may have some bearing on the fate of the marriage:

* " Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true;
* When February birds do mate, you wed nor dread your fate;
* If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know;
* Marry in April when you can, joy for Maiden and for Man;
* Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day;
* Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you will go;
* Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred;
* Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see;
* Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine;
* If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry;
* If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember;
* When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last".

MOST MARRIAGES
Of course, it's a sad fact that not all marriages last. But some people really do seem to make a habit of getting divorced. The person who is credited with being married the most times is former Baptist minister Glynn Scotty Wolfe, who has taken on 28 brides - and divorced 27 of them.

MOST EXPENSIVE DRESS
Wedding dresses can make a major dent in your budget, but however much you spend it will be nothing compared to the outfit created by French designer Helene Gainville. Estimated to be worth a cool £3.5 million, the dress is embroidered with diamonds mounted on platinum. Not the sort of thing you would want to put in the attic after the wedding day.

OLDEST BRIDES
The oldest recorded bride was Minnie Munro, who got hitched at a sprightly 102 years of age. Minnie, from Australia, wed a toy boy of 82. Britain's oldest recorded bride was just one day off her 100th birthday when she took her vows with a man nearly 20 years her junior. Apparently the age gap was not thought to be a problem for them.

PLAYING PRANKS
Playing pranks on the newlywed couple was also a tradition, which began with the intentions of warding off evil spirits. Loyal friends of the couple would do this in hopes that the spirits would take pity on the couple for already being picked upon enough, and would then leave the couple alone.

RICE THROWING
Rice has been used as a symbol of fertility and as a wish for a "full pantry" in various parts of the world from ancient to modern times. In the past, rice was not the only thing thrown at the bride and groom as the left the wedding. Wheat, instead of rice, was thrown in France, figs and dates were thrown in Northern Africa, and a combination of coins, dried fruit, and candy was thrown in Italy. In some European countries eggs are thrown!

Rice is not harmful to the birds that eat it, but an article in California professing this to be the case, has caused birdseed to replace rice at most weddings. Flower petals, confetti, baubles, and balloons are often used today instead of rice.

RING
Rings were used as currency in the Middle East prior to the advent of coinage and were a sign of a persons wealth. In ancient times the wedding ring was thought to protected the bride from "evil spirits". Ancient Roman wedding rings were made of iron.

In early Rome a gold band came to symbolize everlasting love and commitment in marriage. Roman wedding rings were carved with two clasped hands. Very early rings had a carved key through which a woman was thought to be able to open her husband's heart.

RING FINGER
In 3rd. century Greece the ring finger was the index finger. In India it was the thumb. The western tradition began with the Greeks who believed that the third finger was connected directly to the heart by a route that was called "the vein of love."

SECOND WEDDINGS
In almost half of U.S. weddings either the bride or groom has been married previously.

SHOES TO THE CAR
This tradition originated in England during the Tudor period. At that time, guests would throw shoes at the bride and groom as they left in their carriage. It was considered good luck if their carriage was hit. Today, more often than not, it is beverage cans that are tied to a couples car instead of shoes. It should also be noted that the English consider it good luck if it rains on their wedding day!

STAG PARTIES
In Sparta, during the height of Greek civilization, soldiers were the first to hold stag parties. The groom would have a party for his friends the night before he was to marry. He would bid farewell to his bachelorhood and pledge his continued allegiance to his comrades.

SATURDAY WEDDINGS
In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of choice for weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan revolution in England during the 17th century changed all that - because the Puritans thought it improper to be festive on the Sabbath, Saturday.

SOMETHING "OLD", "NEW", "BORROWED", AND "BLUE"
The tradition of carrying one or more items that are "old", "new", "borrowed" and "blue" also comes from English. There is an old English rhyme describing the practice which also mentions a sixpence in the brides shoe. Something old, signifying continuity, could be a piece of lace, jewelry, or a grandmother's handkerchief. Something new, signifying optimism in the future, could be an article of clothing or the wedding rings. Something borrowed, signifying future happiness, could be handkerchief from a happily married relative or friend. Something blue, signifying modesty, fidelity and love, comes from early Jewish history. In early Biblical times, blue not white symbolized purity. Both the bride and groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence the tradition of "something blue". Originally the sixpence was presented to the bride by her future husband as a token of his love. Today, very often, it is the bride's father who places a coin in the brides shoe prior to leaving home for the church.

"TO TIE THE KNOT"
The term "tie the knot" also goes back Roman times. the bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots which the groom had the "duty" of untying.
is the most popular day for wedding now.

TOAST
The term originates from the sixteenth century. At that time a small piece of bread would be placed in a goblet of wine. The goblet would be passed from guest to guest until it reached the person being honored who would drain the goblet and eat the morsel of bread in the bottom. This tradition is practiced at weddings today - usually in the form of one or more champagne "toasts". The best man has the honor of giving the first toast. Usually the bride and groom remain seated for the toasts while all the guests are usually standing to honor them. The couple may then make a few remarks thanking their families, wedding party members, and guests. They may also "toast" each other or share a "toast" together. Often special glass or silver goblets are used by the bride and groom.

TIN CANS
The tradition of tying tin cans to the back of the newlywed's vehicle originated long ago when items which would produce noise were tied to the back of the couple's carriage to scare away evil spirits.

VEIL
Brightly colored veils were worn in ancient times in many parts of the world and were considered a protection against evil spirits Greek and Roman brides for yellow or red veils (representing fire) to ward off evil spirits and demons. At one time, Roman brides were completely covered with a red veil for protection.

In early European history, with the advent of arranged marriages veils served another purpose - to prevent the groom from seeing the brides' face till after the ceremony was over. Brides began to wear opaque yellow veils. Not only could the groom not see in, the bride could not see out! Therefore, the father of the bride had to escort her down the aisle and literally give the bride to the groom.

Nellie Custis, the daughter of Martha Washington, is credited with wearing the first lace veil.

Today, prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is the groom who ritually "veils the bride". This tradition goes back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah (the older sister) when he thought he was marrying Rachel (the younger sister) whom he loved.

WEARING A WEDDING RING
The reason that the engagement ring and wedding band is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand is because the ancient Egyptians thought that the "vein of love' ran from this finger directly to the heart.

WEDDING AS A TERM
Although some brides were kidnapped, marriage by purchase was the preferred method of obtaining a wife. The "bride price" could be land, social status, political alliances, or cash. The Anglo-Saxon word "wed" meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also referred to the bride price (money or barter) to be paid by the groom to the bride's father. The root of the word "wedding" literally means to gamble or wager!

WHITE WEDDING DRESS AS TRADITION
The tradition for the bride to wear white began in the 16th century and is still commonly followed today. This is a symbol of the bride's purity and her worthiness of her groom. The tradition became solidified during the time of Queen Victoria who rebelled against the royal tradition for Royal brides to wear silver. Instead, the queen preferred the symbolism, which is expressed by wearing white. The brides of the time quickly emulated the queen, and the tradition has continued in full force to this day.

WHY THE BRIDE STANDS TO THE GROOMS LEFT
After the bridegroom captured his bride, he placed her on his left to protect her, thus freeing his right hand or sword hand against sudden attack.

WHY IT BECAME "BAD LUCK" FOR THE GROOM TO SEE BRIDE BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Until relatively recently, brides were considered the property of their father. Their futures and husbands were arranged without their consent. The marriage of an unattractive woman was often arranged with a prospective groom from another town without either of them having ever seen their prospective spouse. In more than one instance, when the groom saw his future wife, usually dressed in white, for the first time on the day of the wedding, he changed his mind and left the bride at the altar. To prevent this from happening, it became "bad luck" for the groom to see the bride on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony.

Let's Talk About Cake

The Wedding Cake . . . history, customs and traditions


The history of the wedding cake goes back as far as the Roman Empire, well before the concept of elaborately icing a cake, was invented. Through the years, the wedding cake has become the focus of a variety of customs and traditions. Some of these customs have survived through time. Some have not. The custom of breaking the cake over the bride's head, is no longer practiced. The tradition may have its roots as far back as the Roman Empire. The groom would eat part of a loaf of barley bread baked especially for the nuptials and break the rest over his bride's head. History tells us that breaking the bread symbolized the breaking of the bride's virginal state and the subsequent dominance of the groom over her. As wedding cakes evolved into the larger, more modern version, it became physically impractical to properly break the cake over the bride's head. The tradition disappeared fairly quickly in some places, but there were still reports of breaking an oatcake or other breakable cakes over the bride's head in Scotland, in the 19th century. It's reported that in Northern Scotland, friends of the bride would put a napkin over her head and then proceed to pour a basket of bread over her. It's hard to say why some traditions endure and some do not, but the obvious male chauvinistic bent of this particular tradition probably leads to its early demise.

In Medieval England, cakes were described as breads which were flour-based foods without sweetening. No accounts tell of a special type of cake appearing at wedding ceremonies. There are, however, stories of a custom involving stacking small sweet buns in a large pile in front of the newlyweds. The couple would attempt to kiss over the pile. Success in the process was a sign that there would be many children in their future. .

First appearing in the middle of the17th century and well into the early 19th century, was a popular dish called the bride's pie. The pie was filled with sweet breads, a mince pie, or may have been merely a simple mutton pie. A main "ingredient" was a glass ring. An old adage claimed that the lady who found the ring would be the next to be married. Bride's pies were by no means universally found at weddings, but there are accounts of these pies being made into the main centerpiece at less affluent ceremonies. The name "bride cakes" emphasized that the bride was the focal point of the wedding. Many other objects also were given the prefix "bride," such as the bride bed, bridegroom and bridesmaid..

By the late 19th century, wedding cakes became really popular, and the use of the bride's pie disappeared. Early cakes were simple single-tiered plum cakes, with some variations. It was a while before the first multi-tiered wedding cake of today appeared in all its glory..

The notion of sleeping with a piece of cake underneath one's pillow dates back as far as the 17th century and quite probably forms the basis for today's tradition of giving cake as a "gift." Legend has it that sleepers will dream of their future spouses if a piece of wedding cake is under their pillow. In the late 18th century this notion led to the curious tradition in which brides would pass tiny crumbs of cake through their rings and then distribute them to guests who could, in turn, place them under their pillows. The custom was curtailed when brides began to get superstitious about taking their rings off after the ceremony..

In the minds of most people, wedding cakes are "supposed to be" white. The symbolism attached to the color white, makes explaining this tradition rather simple. White has always denoted purity, a notion as it relates to white wedding cake icing that first appeared in Victorian times. Another way in which a white wedding cake relates to the symbol of purity, has its basis in the fact that the wedding cake was originally referred to as the bride's cake. This not only highlighted the bride as the central figure of the wedding, but also created a visual link between the bride and the cake. Today, that link is being further strengthened as more contemporary brides have their wedding cakes coordinated with their wedding gown color, even if it's not white!.

Previous to Victorian times, most wedding cakes were also white, but not because of the symbolism. Using the color white for icing had a more pragmatic basis. Ingredients were very difficult to come by, especially those required for icing. White icing required the use of only the finest refined sugar, so the whiter the cake, the more affluent the families appeared. It was due to this fact that a white wedding cake became an outward symbol of affluence..

Wedding cakes take center stage in the traditional cake cutting ceremony, symbolically the first task that bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife. This is one tradition that most of us have witnessed many times. The first piece of cake is cut by the bride with the "help" of the groom. This task originally was delegated exclusively to the bride. It was she who cut the cake for sharing with her guests. Distributing pieces of cake to one's guests is a tradition that also dates back to the Roman Empire and continues today. Following the tradition of breaking the bread over the bride's head, guests would scramble for crumbs that fell to the ground. Presumably the consumption of such pieces ensured fertility. But, as numbers of wedding party guests grew, so did the size of the wedding cake, making the distribution process impossible for the bride to undertake on her own. Cake cutting became more difficult with early multi-tiered cakes, because the icing had to be hard enough to support the cake's own weight. This, of necessity, made cutting the cake a joint project. After the cake cutting ceremony, the couple proceed to feed one other from the first slice. This provides another lovely piece of symbolism, the mutual commitment of bride and groom to provide for one another..

The Groom's Cake is a tradition that was prevalent in early American ceremonies, but seems to have fallen from favor in most contemporary weddings. The groom's cake was usually dark (e.g., chocolate) to contrast with the bride's cake. The groom's cake appeared at the reception along with the wedding cake. The origin of this tradition is unclear. Some believe it was to be served by the groom, with a glass of wine, to the bridesmaids. Others believe it was to be saved and subsequently shared with friends after the honeymoon. The tradition seems to have survived primarily in the South..

The once simple wedding cake has evolved into what today is a multi-tiered extravaganza. The multi-tiered wedding cake was originally reserved for English royalty. Even for the nobility, the first multi-tiered cakes were real in appearance only. Their upper layers were mockups made of spun sugar. Once the problem of preventing the upper layers from collapsing into the lower layers was solved, a real multi-tiered wedding cake could be created. Pillars as decoration existed long before multi-tiered cakes appeared, so it was a natural progression for cake bakers to try using pillars as a way to support the upper tiers. To prevent the pillars from sinking into the bottom tier, icing was hardened to provided the necessary support. .

There is hardly a bride today who can't resist saving the top layer of her multi-tiered cake. Most couples freeze the cake with the intention of sharing it on their first wedding anniversary. The tradition has its roots in the late 19th century when grand cakes were baked for christenings. It was assumed that the christening would occur soon after the wedding ceremony, so the two ceremonies were often linked, as were the cakes. With wedding cakes becoming more and more fancy and elaborate, the christening cake quickly took a back seat to the wedding cake. When three-tiered cakes became popular, the top tier was often left over. A subsequent christening provided a perfect opportunity to finish the cake. Couples could then logically rationalize the need for three tiers --- the bottom tier for the reception, the middle tier for distributing and the top for the christening. As the time between the weddings and the christenings widened, the two events became disassociated, and the reason for saving the top tier changed. Regardless of the underlying reason, when the couple finally does eat the top tier, it serves as a very pleasant reminder of what was their very special day.

This Article is Proudly Sponsored by Locust Tree Restaurant.

The Grooms Cake

Wedding grooms cake shapes, traditions and etiquette.



The history of the grooms cake or wedding grooms cake is hard to trace. Some articles note that recipes for grooms cake began appearing in American cookbooks in the early 19th century. These were usually fruitcakes, and traditionally more substantial and more alcoholic than the bride's cake (what we call the wedding cake), which was a lighter, more delicate confection.

Today, the grooms cake doesn't have to be a fruitcake, though it will still differ from the bride's cake and is usually smaller with darker filling and icing. For this reason, the wedding grooms cake is often a chocolate, carrot, or spice cake.

Nowadays, the bride often orders the cake with the grooms favorite filling and icing, and then keeps it a secret. A new tradition is for the bride to have the grooms cake made in the shape of something that represents his personality or interests. Since the wedding and reception are very much focused on the bride, the wedding grooms cake honors him in a special way.

Some wedding-etiquette consultants take the view that the groom's mother should bake the cake herself. This is a nice way to credit "mom's cooking." Other consultants aren't strict on this. Some even say that the groom may, if he prefers, order the cake and keep it a secret from the bride.

Often the grooms cake will be in the shape of something not very wedding-like, such as a football, car, or guitar. This is why it is sometimes served at the rehearsal dinner. Still, many prefer to share it at the reception, usually on a table separate from the wedding cake.

Traditionally, small pieces of grooms cake were wrapped and sent home with unmarried female guests. It was believed that if a maiden tucked the cake under her pillow, her dreams would reveal the man she was to marry. If you'd like to revive this tradition, wrap pieces of wedding grooms cake in foil and net or small gift boxes, and attach a note describing the superstition.

The wedding grooms cake may cost less than the bridal cake. But if it is ordered as a "groom's cake", it will likely cost more than if it were made exactly the same but called a "birthday cake".

While considering the grooms cake, you may want to consult with your fiance' to see how he would prefer this tradition to be carried out. After all, the purpose of the wedding grooms cake is to honor the groom!

June -- A Special Month

As we know the month of June is a special one...
We have Graduations, We have Birthdays, We have Weddings,
However we can't forget, We also have Fathers' Day....

Yes we are giving homage to those Fathers that are true Fathers....

To be classified as a father does not mean you had to be in on the creation. As a comedian once said it takes a special man to step in a raise a child that is not his. We pay homage to the single dads that have been there from beginning to now to be apart of that child's or those children lives.

"For Those Mothers that have to be the "Mother and the Father" we give you special thanks... Many women have raised their daughters and their sons to be outstanding adults. Some children feel there was a void in their life because they were raised by a single parent. Please by all means that is not the case.

Lets thank those uncles; godfathers; grandfathers; brothers; and even those male role models that have given us the courage to say you are doing good;
I will always be here for you....

My Dad is the joy of my life and means the world to me;
My Husband has been a wonderful father to our children;
My Father-n-law I thank you for creating a son that
that knows what it means to be a man and a wonderful father;
My Brothers - n- law you know how I feel about you guys;
My Male Friends - that are fathers, godfathers, uncles keep up the good work;


To the Brides and Grooms remember the most important day of your life is special as you join your union and become one.....

Because of that special person that has been with you from the time you were small till the time they can see that smile on your face or be with you in your heart remember to tell them thank you and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

The Essence Music Festival

THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: New Orleans, Lousiana When: July 4-6, 2008
Are you ready for a super party weekend?

The festival has also augmented its main stage roster with the Essence debut of Rihanna, the Barbados- born singer whose "Umbrella" ranked among 2007's biggest hits; R&B diva Keyshia Cole; neo-soul singer Musiq; and rapper LL Cool J.

They join previously announced Essence headliners Kanye West and Chris Brown, performing on Friday, July 4; Jill Scott on Saturday, July 5; and Chris Rock and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly on Sunday, July 6.

Performance dates for Mary J. Blige, Morris Day & the Time and the new additions are not confirmed.

The superlounges also boast Peabo Bryson, Mint Condition, Raheem Devaughn, Grandmaster Flash, Gill Scott-Heron, Lyfe Jennings, Ledisi, Chrisette Michelle and Solange. Essence also announced the major speakers for its free, daytime empowerment seminars in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New Orleans native turned film and television mogul Tyler Perry presides over the July 4 session with cast members from his "House of Payne" TV series.

On July 5, CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien hosts a televised interactive forum featuring Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, the co-author, with Cosby, of "Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors."

On July 6, gospel session features Bishop Paul S. Morton and Debra Morton, the Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Church Choir, Regina Belle and Dr. Juanita Bynum.

www.essence.com/essence/events/

Part III - Sweet Sixteen

Sweet 16 birthday invitations can be found in a variety of locations. Consider ordering the invitations from retailers that specialize in wedding invitations. A wide variety of sweet 16 birthday invitations can also be found online.

Be sure to plan the progression of events for the party. A formal party or ball is vastly different from the informal gatherings that most of us are used to. You will need to select the music, decide on an order of dances, and determine whether to do a formal presentation of the birthday girl. Many families borrow liberally from the rituals of the Quinceanera and the debutante balls for ideas.

Consider whether to hire a band or a DJ. You may want an emcee to announce the proceedings, as well as someone to handle the music while you are otherwise occupied. The band or DJ will need specific instructions regarding the style of music, order of dances and other details.

You will need to decide on a menu for the party. Consider the practicalities of feeding the number of guests you plan to invite as well. A buffet-style service is significantly easier to manage than a formally served, sit down meal. Select foods that are light and festive.

Your menu will partly be determined by the time of day of the party. If the party begins later in the evening, it is reasonable to expect that guests will already have eaten. However, if the party overlaps the dinner hour, your menu should be more substantial.

Part II - Sweet Sixteen


Often parents’ desires clash with the wishes of teenagers. Forcing a girl who feels uncomfortable with the idea to go through elaborate rituals is not recommended. Likewise, do not allow yourself to be pushed by your daughter into hosting a party that you cannot afford or don’t wish to host. A sweet 16 birthday celebration can consist of any level of party from an informal get together to a full-scale ball. Negotiate and compromise to plan a party that is right for everyone involved.

If the sweet 16 birthday party will be formal, you will need to start planning well in advance. The preparations for such an event can rival those of most weddings. Book the ballroom or other site at least six months in advance. A year is not too early to book a popular location. You will also need to decide on clothing well in advance. If your daughter will wear a ball gown, it will need to be ordered in plenty of time to allow for fittings. Some prom dresses are appropriate, if you prefer an off-the-rack dress.

Send out invitations at least a month prior to the event. Depending on your family’s social circle, your daughter’s formal sweet 16 birthday is probably either very common or quite uncommon. If it is common, you want to be sure that your event does not clash with anyone else’s. If it is rare, you need to be sure to give attendees plenty of time to get their own clothing together.

How To Plan A Sweet 16 Birthday
Planning Your Daughter’s Sweet 16 Birthday Party
By Lisa Fritscher


A sweet 16 birthday is a big deal in many cultures. In the United States, 16 is a very important age and in most states, 16 is the age when teens get their drivers licenses. This rite of passage marks a greater sense of independence and provides a sort of dry run for adulthood, when teens are still young enough to be forgiven for childish mistakes, but old enough to accept increasing responsibilities. If you are planning a sweet 16 birthday celebration, try to keep these factors in mind in order to create the perfect party.

Traditionally, a sweet 16 birthday party is held only for girls. Boys tend to celebrate with their friends on an informal basis. If you want to plan a sweet 16 party for your son, there is no reason not to do so. Just make sure that he is comfortable with the idea. However, since most sweet 16 birthday party recipients are girls, the advice in this article will be primarily geared toward girls’ celebrations.

The sweet 16 birthday can be considered a blending of the Spanish and Latina Quinceanera with the American debutante tradition. The sweet 16 birthday party is traditionally a time for the girl’s first formal party. Many families spend large amounts of money on these events, renting a hall or ballroom and inviting an ever-increasing list of guests. The party may be quite ritualized, including a set dance list, escorts, flower girls, and other displays of pageantry.

If you want to host a large formal event for your daughter’s sweet 16 birthday, check with your daughter first.

Wedding Flowers

Find Wedding Flower Availabilities and Colors Picking wedding flowers in season can save you a bunch of money. Sure, growers are now able to fly almost anything in from the other side of the world, but you'll pay a premium for that. Here is a US guide to what flowers are generally in season to help you get started. Talk specifically to your florist or grower about what is available. This chart can also help you decide when to get married. If you want huge amounts of different pink flowers, fall might not be the best time for you to get married. On the other hand, if adore zinnias and dahlias, perhaps you should have a fall wedding. Spring Wedding Flowers in Season Anemone * Blue, red, pink, white * Jan-May and Aug-Dec Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October Boronia * Pink * April-May Casa Blanca Lily * White * January-October Daffodil * Yellow * January-Early May Delphinium * White, Blue * April- October Hyacinth * Purple, Pink or White Lilacs * Violet or White Narcissus * White Peony * Pink or White * Late Spring – Early Summer Ranunculus * white, pink, red, orange and yellow * February-May Star Gazer Lily * Pink and White * January-October Sweetpea * white, pink, red/coral, and lavender/purple * December-May Tulip * Many colors, including white, pink, yellow, red, and purple * December-April Waxflower * pinky purple and white Summer Wedding Flowers in Season Alstromeria * orange, pink, yellow and cream, other colors Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October Chrysanthemum * White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, other colors English Lavender * Purple Forget-me-not * Blue Freesia * White, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Purple Gerbera Daisy * Pink, Yellow, Orange, Red, White Hydrangea * White, Blue, Purple, Pink Iris * Purple, Blue, White Larkspur * White, Purple, Blue, Pink Liatris * Pinkish Purple Lily, asiatic * White, Pink, Yellow, Orange Lily, oriental * White, Pink Lisianthus * Purple, White, Pink Matsumoto Asters * Pink, Purple Monte Casino Asters * White, Purple Queen Anne's Lace * White Snapdragons * Pink, Yellow, Orange, White, Other Colors Solidaster * Yellow Statice * Purple Stephanotis * White Stock * White, Other Colors Sunflower * Yellow Tuberose * White Yarrow * White, Pink, Yellow Zinnia * Red, Orange, Pink Fall Wedding Flowers Aster * White, Pink Chrysanthemum * White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, other colors Dahlia * Many Colors Marigold * Yellow, Orange, Red Statice * Purple Zinnia * Red, orange, pink * Dried Leaves Winter Wedding Flowers Amaryllis * Red, White Anemone * Blue, red, pink, white * Jan-May and Aug-Dec. Bells of Ireland * Green * January-October Camellias * White, Pink Casa Blanca Lily * White * January-October Cosmos * Pink, White, Brown, Other Colors Daffodil * Yellow * January-Early May Forget-me-nots * Blue Holly * Green with Red Berries Jasmine * White Narcissus * White, Yellow Poinsettia * Red, White Ranunculus * white, pink, red, orange and yellow * February-May Star Gazer Lily * Pink and White * January-October Star of Bethlehem * White Sweetpea * white, pink, red/coral, and lavender/purple * December-May Tulip * Many colors, including white, pink, yellow, red, and purple * December-April Waxflower * Pink, White Wedding Flowers Available Year RoundBaby's Breath * White Bachelor's Button * White, Pink, Red or Blue Calla Lily * White is widely available, other colors, available as well, particularly in mini size Carnations * Many Colors Delphinium * Blue, White, Purple Eucalyptus * Blue, Silver Gardenia * White Gladiolus * Many Colors Heather * Pink Lily of the Valley * White and Pink Orchid * Pink, White, Purple, Other Colors Protea * Pink Rose * Many Colors ***February at a premium Scabiosa * Purple, White By Nina Callaway, About.com

The Color Scheme

It's Your Day to Pick Your Favorites

Every detail of your wedding should reflect your favorites, from gown to shoes, flowers to food.

The color scheme you select will set the tone for the day and the events surrounding your wedding. You can also add sophistication or simplicity through the colors you select. Generally, your color scheme will often carry into the attendants' dresses, table settings, and flowers. See our choices for some wonderful color schemes for weddings.

All White and Green

In weddings, as in life, white is not white and green is not green. Each color has a wide variety of hues from which to choose. But the color combination is a winner and gives you lots of choices, from pure white to ivory to the palest of pinks. If your gown is ivory, it's best to select fabrics for napkins and tableskirts, as well as flowers, in a complimentary shade.

If you've selected a snow white dress, choose snow white flowers. Some choices for white flowers are iris, sweet pea, peonies, orchids, lilacs, camellias, daisies, and carnations. For a softer hue, look for roses, tulips, freesia, or lily of the valley. When selecting greens, you can go from a fresh lime green to the deep green of camellias or leatherleaf ferns. If you want a brighter green, look for leaves from citrus trees, fresh grasses, or green berries.

Pink and Red

With Green Use pastel or bright pink flowers and add accents of red. Or go the other way around--red flowers with accents of bright or pale pink. Add tones of lavendar or purple from hydrangea. For texture and an loose look, use berries in deep shades of red with green foliage.

Soft Blush Tones

Create an elegant statement at your wedding if you choose pale blush colors for flowers and accents. Colors can range from soft pink to soft peach and ivory. Add touches of pearl to accent. Roses are a good choice to enhance a blush color scheme, as there are a myriad of hues of soft-toned roses. Your florist can direct you to the best varieties.

Red is Always Romantic Red roses say "I Love You" and are very appropriate for weddings at any time of the year. Especially in the winter, red looks wonderful with berries and pine greenery and black or red gowns on the attendants. Red is also found in tulips, peonies, gerbera daisies, ranunculus, carnations, lilies, and camellias.

Nothing But Pink

For a very romantic and feminine celebration, pink is beautiful. Choose one shade of pink or use many shades from brights to pales. Roses come in a wide range of pinks, or try ranunculas, sweet peas, camellias, hydrangeas, foxglove, snapdragons, dahlias, and bright gerbera daisies.

Purple, Lime Green,

White For a dramatic, lively look to your day, choose colors with real punch. Purple, lime green, and bright pinks look crisp and fresh! Hydrangea, roses, lilacs, hyacinth, iris, pansies, stock, delphinium, lisianthus, lavendar, and mums grow in shades of purple. Limey greens will add brightness.

By Coral Nafie, About.com

Partnerships

Do you want to get a jump on special gift ideas - go to www.tsherman2.ordermygift.com

For all of you health conscience people there is also a site for you.. go to www.tsherman2.qhealthzone.com

Fonville Family Reunion

If you are part of the Fonville family and would like to attend
The 1st Annual P.A. Fonville and Hester Ann Family Reunion,
please contact AtUrBest Wedding And Event Planners @ 877-264-3579.

The Reunion will be Thursday, July 3 through Monday, July 4, 2008. The event will at hosted at The Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowel Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Bridal Shower Tips

Bridal Shower Tips by: Yolanda Nash

Co-ed showers are finally taking a twist and growing every day more popular. Having a co-ed shower will make everyone attending feel more welcome and will also give them a chance to get to know one another before the big day.

Give your bridal party a day to remember you by. Take them to the beach or have a barbecue but just make sure your guests are entertained and enjoying them selves. If you are having a co-ed or more traditional bridal shower it will be so much more fun when you play games or make it theme night.

If you love the beach have a pool party, if you love barbecue then cookout or if you enjoy crafts then make a special project, but just make it fun and enjoyable for all your guests and make the memories last. Make sure they can dance. So I suggest either renting video lessons or hiring a personal dancing instructor. Pick some fun dancing and also some formal dancing lessons so you have dances for all of your music.

If your reception party has a country theme, then make sure you take country dancing lessons. When the spotlight is on you and your bridal party it will be so much more fun for everyone when you know what your doing. The bridal shower is the time when all of the bride's friends all get together and everyone meet one another.

All of the bride's friends should bring something that they remember her by. They can bring friendship bracelets, class rings and photos. This will really make the shower more enjoyable and gives everyone a chance to share there memories of each other.
Author: Yolanda Nash

How To Know Tip Etiquette

How to Know Tip Etiquette
By eHow Careers & Work Editor

You reach for the check after dinner and once again, you're stymied as to how much you are supposed to leave. Your hairdresser and the bellhop both gave you a slant-eyed look when they received their tip. There must be some sort of rule, you think. Here are some etiquette guidelines to help you feel confident tipping in any situation.

Step 1:
Leave approximately 15 percent of your meal cost when tipping a waitperson that provided you with good service. You can adjust this amount if you were very pleased or disappointed in the service.

Step 2:
Consider setting a minimum tip amount. If you order coffee and a slice of pie the tip won't amount to much if you only leave 15 percent, but the server came to your table a half a dozen times to fill your cup. A minimum tip of $2 or more will assure he is compensated for his service.

Step 3:
Give your hairdresser between 15 to 20 percent for her services. Some people don't know they are supposed to tip a stylist, but they depend upon their tips to make a living.

Step 4:
Slip a couple of dollars into your door attendant's hand if he hails a cab for you or retrieves your luggage. A dollar or two per bag is proper when the bellhop carries them to your room. The same amount goes for a valet who parks your car.

Step 5:
Tip food delivery persons, but not postal employees, when they bring packages. It's tough to keep it straight, but remember that employees of tax-funded services are legally not allowed to accept tips. However, etiquette allows you to give them a monetary gift at Christmas time if you feel they have served you well throughout the year.

Up Coming Events

AtUrBest Presents Up Coming Events


Black College Reunion 2008 - April 4-6, 2008 -- Daytona Beach, Florida

Myrtle Beach Bike Week --- May 9 -18, 2008 --- Everyone & All Motorcycles Welcome

The 2008 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference - MAy 14- 17, 200- Charlotte NC

Black Beach Week --- May 23 - May 26, 2008 --- The Atlantic Bike Beach Festival - Myrtle Beach, SC

The 9th Annual Urban Beach Week -- May 23- May 26, 2008 -- Miami Florida, South Beach

37th Annual National Assoc. Of Black Accountants - June 10-14, 2008 - Atlanta GA

Essence Music Festival - July 3-6, 2008 - New Orleans, Lousiana -

AtUrBest Wedding Expo 2008 - August 1- August 3, 2008 - Charlotte, NC

Hootie Awards - September 18-21, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV


As always if you need further information about upcoming events please contact AtUrBest Wedding And Event Planners - Email: wedsaturbest@yahoo.com or call 877-264-3579

Events

THE 2008 ESSENCE FESTIVAL

Where: New Orleans, LousianaWhen: July 4-6, 2008For 13 years, Th e Essence Music Festival has been voted as the largest African American Family Festival and Empowerment Conference in the world. Over 200,000 participants make the annual trek to New Orleans for 3 days full of fun, food, festivities, entertainment, music and more.


Who Is Performing At This Year's Essence?

Jill Scott, Chris Brown, Frankie Beverly And Maze are just a few....14 more artist to be announced

Women's History Month

In honor of Women's History Month -


The AtUrBest Team takes a look at the past generations of great wonderful Women- First we want to give homage to our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, great grandmothers, great aunts, our sisters, our best girl friends, female cousins, daughters and of course our sons.

I take a look at the Women that have come into my life as, women pastors, mentors, friends, and colleagues some have touched me in so many ways. I have learned and I am still learning from the Women who have taught me how to be a better person, who have taught me how to be a better business person, who have taught me to be a friend, to reach out and set my goals.


These women have taught me that it is okay to shed a tear, it is okay to say hey the better person got the job, it is ok to fight back when it is necessary to hear your voice in the crowd. From each and everyone that has cross my path I owe you so much.


So I stand and salute you Wonderful Women be proud that you have brought another Woman across the threshold of the circle of life.

The Perfect Way To Say I Love You

Guess what boys and girls its that special time of the year again.....

St. Valentines Day....

As the season of love i.e. valentine has arrived,

the lovebirds have started planning to convey

their feeling of love to each other.

Rose, the prominent symbol of love has to be used

effectively to express these tender feelings.

Love is a feeling that comes from the heart and changes

our lives forever...Love is special and love is precious.

It comes in our lives like a soft breeze and things change forever.

Romantic Valentines Ideas

Well if you want to make your valentine feel special then a

great idea for you is to place a small love note with three magical

words written on it 'I Love You' and place it besides her bed

and see the miraculous effects.

Take a day's leave from office and plan the day with your loved one.
Prepare some nice valentines cookie recipe in the shape of heart and

I'm sure your partner will love it.
Romantic long drive and a candle light dinner is a fabulous idea.
Do not forget to present her a bouquet of red roses because to express love what better way than flowers.

Instead of buying a card, this valentine's day do something different.
Prepare a nice colorful card and do not forget to write love quotes.
There are lot many things to do for Valentine Day like go to a disco and party.

This is the day when words are not enough.

Some action is also required to make the day different.

Well I hope you must have got an idea that I'm talking

about giving your spouse a nice tight hug.

Decorate the house for the special occasion.

Implement smart tricks for creating the mood for romance.

Dim lights, light music, romantic songs and most importantly

attire a nice costume specially meant for Valentine's Day.

Adorn yourself with jewelry and other fashion accessories.
Propose your partner and tell her/him how special and important

he/she is for you and that it is difficult to imagine your life without them.
Hold each other's hands and go for a short walk.

Appreciate each other and read out romantic poems for your lover.

Tips For Proposing

Asking for her hand in marriage is a perfect way to show respect and love.

Do it in private without her knowing before you propose.

If you aren't sure what type of ring she wants, or you are surprising her, propose with a loose diamond, so that she can pick out her own setting later. Keep in mind what you think her idea of romance is. Some women would be ecstatic to pick out their own ring setting, but others might find it disappointing.

Know the answer before asking the question!

Keep it an absolute secret. Asking for advice from her sister or friend is a good idea ONLY if you can ensure secrecy. Don't tell anyone your plans if you're not sure you can trust them to stay quiet.

Plan this event. She is going to remember it for the rest of her life, so put some effort into it. Above all else, be creative. Embellish the ideas below with your own personal touches. Celebrate afterwards. Let it be known that she just made you the happiest man on earth.

Proposal Ideas:

Have a custom fortune cookie made with your marriage proposal on the fortune.
Propose at a family function. Either surprise her and her family, or get her family involved by arranging a surprise engagement party or champagne toast.

Have the ring be the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks.

Have your proposal painted on a banner or a billboard.

Take her by it on your way to a romantic dinner.

Stop under the sign; get out of the car and onto one knee to present the ring.
For the word game lover, play one and spell out your proposal with the tiles or make a special word search puzzle for her to solve.

Put your proposal on the paper strip of a Hershey's kiss

Make a memory box filled with mementos from your life together thus far. At the bottom, have a poem or a note with your proposal on it

Have the ring box chocolate dipped and put it in a box of chocolates. (Use a small box of chocolates, so that you don't have to wait too long for the moment to happen!)

Take her on a romantic walk on the beach to a waterfall and spell out the words, "Will you marry me?" in the sand or with rocks by the water.

Get her portrait painted or drawn from a photograph with the ring on her finger.

Have the ring ready when she notices.
Add to your family by bringing home a brand new puppy with a ribbon collar.
Have the ring tied to the ribbon. When she discovers it, bend down one knee.

Freeze the ring in an ice cube and drop it in her glass, while you are at your favorite restaurant. When she realizes what is in her drink, get down on one knee and ask her to marry you.

Go to a local bakery
Instruct them to bake a cake with a marriage proposal on it and put it in the window. Take her on a romantic nighttime stroll right past the bakery, and point to the personalized cake in the window. Drop down on one knee, pull out the ring, and ask her to marry you. This way you can have your cake and eat it too, literally.

Surprise her by sending a bouquet of flowers to the office Tie the ring to the end of one of the stems. After the flowers are delivered, go to her office and propose.

Valentine's Day Checklist

1. Your SchedulesBefore you can decide on anything, you need to find out what both of your schedules are. Do one or both of you have to work? Find out what hours. Does your date have something else planned during any part of the day? Make sure to find out everything, then tell your date AS SOON AS POSSIBLE what time to reserve for your interlude.

2. Consider Your Date's InterestsIs your date a "flowers and romance, dance all night" type, or a "stay at home in front of the fire" type of person? This is important in determining what you are planning to do. If you're not sure, ask your date what they like.

3. Plan Your Date By now you should know what timeframe you have to work with and what your partner's interests are. With this information it should be much easier deciding what to do. While you're planning, make sure to check if reservations are needed, any tipping requirements, transportation you might need, any possible dress code, timeframe of any events, and if there are any restrictions on any mood enhancers you might want to bring, like candles. Don't forget to let your date know about any information they need to know, like dress codes, etc.!

4. Your Gift The gift is almost as, if not more, important than the actual date. It doesn't need to be expensive, but it does need to show that you've put a lot of time and care into selecting it. If you're deciding to give a traditional favorite, like flowers or chocolates, try and do something unique with them.

5. Confirm Everything!!!The night before, take some time and confirm any reservations or plans you have that involve a third party. This not only helps ease your nerves a bit, but also reminds the other person of their possible duty.

6. Relax And Enjoy!Pick up your date and enjoy each other's romantic company! Relax, because you've taken all the steps to plan the perfect Valentine's Day date!!

Things To Do With Your Partner

What is your favorite thing to do with your partner?
1. Cuddle
2. Talk
3. Sleeping next to each other.
4. Long WalksTop 3 Locations:BeachBy MoonlightBy Sunset
5. Kissing
6. Wrestling
7. Looking into each other's eyes.
8. Just be with them.
9. Make love.
10. Watch romantic movies.Either at home or at the movies.
11. Have a romantic dinner.
12. Laugh together
13. Relax
14. Lie in bed and talk.
15. Do something new.
16. Feed each other.
17. Watch T.V. and cuddle.
18. Spend time at the park.
19. Look at the stars.
20. Have an all day date.

Just A Hit And Run

The @UrBest team want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.... Our end of the year Holiday Party went off with a Hit..... As the evening started out we were on our way to set up for the party.

As we merging on to the expressway there was a vehicle trying to switch lanes and side swiped us knocking the mirror off of our rent a car; messed up the side of the white van they were driving and took off.

As we followed the vehicle because he would not stop we were in high persuit as if we were trying out for the nascar race trials (lol) needless to say we caught him at the light.

Block him in pulled up in front of his vehicle so he could not leave the scene . We were waiting for the police to come which took about 30 to 45 minutes. As we exchange information the police issued three violations to the driver of the van (which he did not have his credentials in order).

The @UrBest team made it to the event and did the job they were hired to the do... So if is an event that you want done....

Do not hesitate to call the @UrBest Wedding And Event Planners for your next event.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Try our partnerships for gift ideas --

Smart Gift Ideas for Weddings, Fund Raisers, Annivesaries, Retirements, Graduations, Employee Incentives or Just Saying "Thank You" to Clients

Top Tips For New Year's Eve

Make your December 31 one to remember with our top tips...

Table decorations

For your table centre decorations try using large offcuts of autumn branches with leaves and trails of ivy -- you’ll find them all in the garden at this time of year. Add some rich red apples and wire them on with a few candles. Stick to rich red and gold colours, and avoid pine at all costs -- Christmas is over and gone!

Fun and games with candles

The old saying ‘you could hear a pin drop’ refers to the old days when hostesses fixed a pin into a candle. It was timed to burn down and for the pin to drop out at midnight onto a dish. If there are only a few of you, try this by making a candle each and having a prize for the winner whose pin drops out at the closest to midnight.

Vodka

Buy some flavoured vodkas, chill them down and serve vodka shots either in shot glasses or through a vodka luge. Make sure you serve the vodka after dinner or your guests may feel the effects a bit too early!

Fireworks

Stage a home firework display, complete with sparklers, space blankets (from the camping shop to keep you warm -- only a few pounds each) and gluhwein, plus toffee apples for the younger ones!

Think ahead

Food for the later part of the night -- or early morning -- is always very welcome. You could serve some miniature hamburgers, bite-sized pizzas and sausages in buns at around 2am. Accompany these with tin mugs filled with hot chocolate to keep your guests going!

Dance the night away

Stick to music that your guests recognise. This is not the time to try to wow partygoers with your eclectic tastes or flaunt your knowledge of obscure musical trends. Whether it’s a band or a disco or just a home stereo, you want tunes that everyone can get up and get down to.

Hogmanay spirit

Treat your guests to a selection of malt whisky bottles. Buy a few different makes and set them up on a small bar for an impromptu tasting session. Do this later on in the evening -- it always attracts a big audience, especially among the male members of the party for some reason...

Sweetie time

Buy some glass trumpet vases and fill each one to the brim with different chocolate and sweets -- Smarties, Maltesers, marshmallows, it’s up to you. This will cause a stampede with the coffee.

Head gear

Buy some crazy head-dresses and dish them out at midnight. Your local party store will have a fun selection, probably including Red Indian head-dresses, sailor’s caps, French army hats, devil’s horns, crowns and so on. Hand them out and watch the part start swinging -- just make sure you have your camera ready!

The camera never lies...

Issue disposable cameras so your guests can capture their favourite moments of the night. You can buy disposable cameras here on the confetti website.


*(when comes to offering alcohol to your guest please be mindful and sensible)*

"Information provided by Confetti"

The Holidays - When Its Your Turn To Plan The Party

The Christmas holiday season is a magical time of the year. It is easy to encounter happy strangers, as well as friends and loved ones, who greet one another with the joy and goodwill that abounds. All of these feelings of fun, festivity and fellowship create the perfect backdrop for the annual Christmas party.

In general there are two broad categories of Christmas parties. One is the traditional office one which is usually held sometime in December. There has been a rather recent trend for office parties to be held early in the month of December, rather than very close to Christmas Day.
In this way, the many social events of the season are spread throughout the month. Some companies, especially those that are involved in retail, choose to have their company parties after the New Year. Because it is such a hectic time for retailers, it is sometimes difficult to gather all of the employees together at the same time.

Of course, those in the category of a personal party, which involves friends and family, is more often held on the weekend preceding Christmas or on Christmas Eve. This type of holiday party is a wonderful opportunity for families to get together and socialize and catch up with the happenings of the year. Often family parties on this special day feature a time to exchange gifts, enjoy some entertainment, partake in delicious favorite foods that people bring to share and sing around the Christmas tree.

When embarking on the planning of a Christmas party, do keep in mind that during the holiday season people are at their busiest. To ensure that your event is attended by all invited, it should be scheduled as far in advance as possible so that your guests can juggle their other commitments.

Some of the things to keep in mind for organizing a great party are: choosing the date and creating the guest list, sending out the invitations (either by snail-mail or by email), planning the menu and asking others to bring certain food items or extra silverware, setting a budget that you can commit to, decorating the house and making sure there will be adequate seating. When such an event is well planned out and organized properly, it greatly reduces the stress of hosting a party and will make it a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved, you included.
Probably one of the biggest aspects of planning such a party is creating the menu. There are so many wonderful foods that are part of the traditional feast.

Including family favorites can really help to make the event more special and memorable for everyone. This is a great time of year to ask your guests to bring their most-liked foods to share as this can be an opportunity to share favorite memories or traditions that might be based around that food.

The main thing to remember about any Christmas party is to focus on the sharing and giving spirit of Christmas with people that you care about. This is more important than any one food, decoration or activity that might be planned and will lend to creating memorable gatherings.

"Remember It Is Not Too Late" You can always contact " AtUrBest Wedding And Event Planners" (http://www.wedsaturbest@yahoo.com/ ) to get you thru the holiday events so you can just sit back and enjoy yourself....

Information provided by "Ezine Articles"

The Proposal

Romantic & Unique Marriage Proposal

Guys we need to have you step back and take a look at this wonderful proposal.....

When you are ready to pop the question use a little charm,

tenderness and remember

THINK FIRST THAN SPEAK AND MOST OF ALL LET'S BE ROMANTIC....

Go to this link first.

http://www.photosbyknight.com/gray/

Remember there are eight avenues you can go to for help with your proposal ideas:

Let's think about what you are going to do: Is it going to be:

Extravagant & Costly

Romantic

Friends and Family (which she has probably gave them ideas)

Trip & Vacations (somewhere she might have hinted)

Simple but Sweet

Signs & Hints (make sure you pay attention to these)

Hobbies & Sports

Intimate

In case you still don't get it we have provided you with some wonderful ideas:

Remember timing and location is a big part of the proposal:

Lets take care of this issue:

What Not To Do

Before we get to the good stuff, here are a few

"misadventures" to avoid when proposing marriage:
Do not trivialize the proposal.

You're asking someone if they want to spend the rest of your lives together not what they want to eat for dinner.

A marriage proposal is meant to be a special and memorable occasion for you as a couple, so don't allow relatives or friends to invite themselves along when you know you're going to pop the question.

Don't propose at someone else's special occasion, like a wedding, baby shower, etc.. First of all, it's not polite to detract from someone else's special day. And secondly, it's best to make a special day for just the two of you.

Don't put your partner on the spot, such as proposing in public in a situation where they feel forced to say yes (then privately say no).

TRY THESE SUGGESTIONS

Put the ring around the top of her favorite bottle of perfume and wrap both in a pretty paper to give to her as a gift. When she opens it, get down on one knee and propose.

Take her out to the mall or her favorite store just as you would any other time, but tell her it's your treat. Make sure you talked to the manager there earlier in the week to make sure that their receipts say "Marry me, name." instead of "Have a good day." Buy her that dress shes been raving about and when you get the receipt complain that they made a mistake in the price. Ask her if she thinks it adds up right. When she realizes what it says, pull out the ring.

Propose on YOUR birthday, when they are thinking of giving you gifts. There is no better birthday present you can receive than your significant other saying they will marry you.

Give her a beautiful sterling silver charm for her necklace with your proposal engraved on it.Or put the ring on a necklace with the charm (engraved with your message and your engagement date).

Surprise her with a basket of several little gifts (a book, a new CD from her favorite band, some chocolates, etc) and let the ring be the last thing she opens. Need help putting together a basket? We've found a collection of very romantic baskets that are perfect for a proposal.

Create a website asking your beloved to marry you. Make sure you're there when she's viewing it though, then get down on one knee when she's done. A website is a public declaration of your love, so she'll be able to share your proposal with her friends and family.

Send her an eCard that will be delivered to her at work. Include a romantic love poem that tells her exactly what she means to you. At the end, ask her to marry you. Be at her work waiting to surprise her after she's received the card.

Put it in her Palm Pilot This will work best if she checks it frequently when you're together. You can either put your whole proposal or give her a few teasers and then get down on one knee and propose when you're with her.

Send a text message asking her to marry you to her cell phone. While you're out and about and she least expects it, send the message. She'll be surprised to receive a message on her cell while you're together. After she's read it, get down on one knee and propose.

Is she always working at a computer? Set up the screen saver to be the proposal, and be there when it pops up. To do this on a windows machine, simply right click on your desktop and select 'properties'. Click on the 'screensaver' tab. Select '3D Text' and then click 'settings' to change the text. She'll be pleasantly surprised when she walks up to the computer and see's your proposal. Be waiting with flowers and the ring behind her.

Tie the ring to your cat or dog collar, then call them to come in (ala 'Meet the Parents'). When she sees the ring, get down on one knee and propose.

Turn off the lights and cuddle up during a thunderstorm - propose as you see each other through the lightning flashes.

If you have a fish tank at home, get a special piece for inside, such as a treasure chest. Add the ring and a small sign of some sort that says something like "Of all the fish in the sea, you're the only one for me. Will you marry me?". When she reads the sign, get down on one knee and ask her to be your wife.

Take out an ad in the newspaper. Create a colorful ad with photos of the two of you and your proposal

After an intimate, romantic dinner, take her out for a romantic horse drawn carriage ride around the city. While cuddling close together under the stars, ask her to do you the honor of becoming your wife .

Send out a press release asking her to marry you. Hopefully your local newspaper or magazine will pick up the story!

Create your own newspaper front page with a headline that reads "Will you marry me, name?". Get up early one morning and slip the fake front page over the real newspaper for her to find. While you're sipping your morning coffee and she opens the paper to find your proposal, tell her how much she means to you and ask if she'll do you the honor of becoming your wife.

Create a cd of "your" songs and add your proposal message to the CD or print it on the CD cover. After she's read the proposal, play the cd and dance to your music.

Have a party with friends and family. Book a band or DJ and have them play your song. When they do, get on the dance floor and get on one knee. Tell her that this is moment you have been waiting for and then pop the question.

Get four balloons with each containing a word from "Will you marry me?" Once she's popped them all and revealed your proposal, present the ring to her.

Holiday Proposals

Christmas

Play Santa and be sure to tell her what Santa wants for Christmas.... for her to be your wife!

Give her 5 wrapped boxes with a different word (will you marry me) in each box and the ring in the last box. Make sure she opens them in the correct order!.

While decorating the Christmas tree, put the ring around a glass ornament and hand it to her to hang on the tree.

Place strands of Christmas lights on your lawn spelling out "Will you marry me?" so that she sees it when she drives up.

Place the ring in a small box with her name on it and hang it on a branch on the Christmas tree. Have some one 'find it' after all the other presents are opened. As she opens it, pop the question!

New Years Eve

Do it at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. What better way to start the new year than to have her as your fiance?

Read each other your New Year's resolutions and let your last one be to make her your wife.

There are so many romantic possibilities Bubble baths are insanely romantic as it is, but you can still take it up a notch for this romantic holiday. Pick up some sensual bubble baths and relax together. Add some wine, some candles, and a massage and you've got the makings for an incredibly romantic evening. Want a more playful bath time experience, check out the bathtub love game. The game comes with bubble bath and 10 plastic bubbles filled with naughty suggestions. You randomly select a bubble and perform it on your lover. Keep going until you bubble bath has turned into something more.

Whisper "I Love You" News Year Day Wake her up this morning with an "I Love You" and a ring as you whispered in her ear will you marry me.

Valentines' Day

You should ok on this day....Its' that simple but you can do something up till Valentines Day.

Flirting in the fun part of romance, so spend this entire week flirting with your partner. It'll rejuvenate your relationship and you'll reap the benefits.

Night one: Relax with wine and candles.

Night two: Give each other massages.

Night three: Spend the entire time kissing, but nothing else.

Night four: Play the bathtub love game.

The game comes with bubble bath and 10 plastic bubbles filled with naughty suggestions. You randomly select a bubble and perform it on your lover.

This game is all about bathtub foreplay.

Night five: Make love in the tub.

Holidays - Event Planners Get Ready

By Sara J. Welch, Successful Meetings

It's holiday time, when companies throw parties to thank their employees for their hard work during the year, and employees are more than ready to relax from all that work and celebrate the season. So what are the key ingredients for a successful corporate holiday bash? "A great DJ," says an event planner at a major media company in New York City. "A coat-check routine where nobody has to wait. But more importantly, a ton of food and plenty of bars, so nobody complains about the lines."

Five Tips for Successful Holiday Parties Have an emergency plan.

Think: What would you do if something happened to a guest? Find out where the nearest hospital is, when the event venue was last inspected by the fire marshal, and whether anyone is trained in emergency procedures (CPR, defibrillator use, etc.).

Manage alcohol consumption. Otherwise, if a guest injures himself or someone else, as the event planner you could be named in a liability suit.

Don't play Barry White. Slow, sexy songs encourage an atmosphere of sexual harassment, say veteran event planners.

Don't let guests wander off unattended. Again, if someone got hurt or attacked, you could be found liable.

Have a nice party—but not one that's over the top. Public perception is important. Keep in mind what impression you' d convey if people read about your party in the media.

Groom's Attire cont'd

Jacket Styles:



Tailcoat
The tailcoat is a very formal jacket that can either be single or double-breasted, with two or six buttons, respectively. The front of the jacket is short and the back features two long tails. A tailcoat can come in either black or white, and is best suited for elegant evening weddings. This coat is traditionally worn with a vest and bow tie, and can be further dressed up with gloves and a top hat.

Cutaway Jacket
The cutaway is a formal daytime jacket that is short in the front and tapers to one long tail in the back. This coat comes in black or dark grey, and is traditionally paired with matching trousers.

Tuxedo Jacket
There are many options with the tuxedo jacket. It can be single or double-breasted with anywhere from one to six buttons. There are also three different lapel styles to choose from. The peaked lapel forms a "V" at the collar and points upward. The notched lapel has an indentation at the collar in the shape of a triangle. The shawl lapel has no indentation and smoothly curves around the neck.


Dinner Jacket
This white or ivory jacket resembles a tuxedo jacket, and is best suited for warmer weather weddings. A dinner jacket can accommodate both formal and semi-formal evening weddings, and is one way your groom can set himself apart from his groomsmen.

Mandarin
This modern jacket has no lapel, a stand-up collar, and six buttons extending from the neck down to the waist. The mandarin jacket is worn with a mandarin-collared shirt, and does not require any type of tie.

Long Coat
The long jacket is a variation of the tuxedo jacket that extends down beyond the man's fingertips. since this coast has more length than the other styles, it is best worn by tall, broad-shouldered men. the long jacket is best suited for weddings held in colder weather.

Groom's Attire

Groom's Formal Wear Tips

The groom should select his formal wear based on the formality of the wedding. For a semi-formal or formal wedding, the groom will need a tuxedo. A tuxedo is the formal jacket worn by men on special or formal occasions. The most popular colors are black, white, and gray. Options: Use the following guidelines to select customary attire for the groom:

Things To Consider: In selecting your formal wear, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, the time of day, and the bride's gown. Consider darker colors for a fall or winter wedding and lighter colors for a spring or summer wedding. When selecting a place to rent your tuxedo, check the reputation of the shop. Make sure they have a wide variety of makes and styles to choose from. Reserve tuxedos for yourself and your ushers several weeks before the wedding to insure a wide selection and to allow enough time for alterations.

Plan to pick up the tuxedos a few days before the wedding to allow time for last minute alterations in case they don't fit properly. Out-of-town men in your wedding party can be sized at any tuxedo shop. They can send their measurements to you or directly to the shop where you are going to rent your tuxedos. Ask about the store's return policy and be sure you delegate to the appropriate person (usually your best man) the responsibility of returning all tuxedos within he time alotted. Ushers customarily pay for their own tuxedos.

Informal wedding: Business suit, White dress shirt and tie

Semi-formal daytime: Formal suit, White dress shirt, Cummerbund or vest
Four-in-hand or bow tie

Formal daytime: Cutaway or stroller jacket, Waistcoat, Striped trousers
White wing-collared shirt, Striped tie, Studs and cufflinks

Formal evening: Black dinner jacket, Matching trousers, Waistcoat White
tuxedo shirt, Bow tie, Cufflinks Cummerbund or vest

Very formal daytime: Cutaway coat, Wing-collared shirt, Ascot,
Striped trousers, Cufflinks, Gloves

Very formal evening: Black tailcoat, Matching striped trousers
White wing-collared shirt, Waistcoat
Patent leather shoes, Studs and cufflinks, Gloves

Info provided by Wedding Solutions