MC Jokes to Spice Up a Wedding

by Betty Seymore

Getting cold feet at the thought of being wedding emcee? Terrified of being asked to make a toast? Betty Seymore can help! Betty writes for PlanningForAWeddingInfo.Com. She provides informative articles on all things wedding-related, including MC jokes. Check out the site today for free tips and more!

Personalized MC Gifts Ideas

Personalized Picnic Deluxe Cooler $35.00	Cooler Tote with Cell Phone Holder From $35.00	Party Beverage Cooler From $33.00
Men’s Dresser Set $43.20	Personalized Cashmere Scarf From $40.00	Deluxe Sports Duffle Bag From $38.00

Click here for more MC Gifts

Free Food Tasting and Open House for Brides

Stress Away Bridal Shop in conjunction with Simply Wonderful Caterers is bringing together individuals, such as you, for a Free Food Tasting and Open House. Tastings brings many businesses together under one roof and provides you the opportunity to experience products and services first hand. This naturally makes the planning of a fabulous and unforgettable event simpler and more exciting!

Come and get new ideas and choices as you go down aisle by aisle of exhibitors displaying samples, special offers and demonstrations. Come taste delicious catered food and cake specialties. Come receive expert advice for your next personal or business event including:

Wedding Receptions
Rehearsal Dinners
Wedding Anniversaries
Proms
Church Anniversary
Pastor Anniversary
Men’s and Women’s Day
Deacon and Deaconess Day
School Graduations
Proms
Family Reunions
Birthday Parties
Business Lunches
Cocktail Receptions

And best of all it’s FREE with a canned good or
non- perishable food item.
(donations will be given to Maryland’s Food Bank)

Saturday March 21, 2009
12 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Choice Hotels International
10720 Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20901

(301)351-7586

Come out and join us as we truly look forward to meeting you.
Please RSVP by March 21, 2009 with the number of guests attending.

Wedding Reception – 6 Decorating Ideas In A Budget

by Albert Lee

To learn more wedding reception ideas, visit http://www.weddingreceptionideas101.com

Wedding Caterers – Ways to Make Your Largest Wedding Expense Palatable

by Hilary Basile

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find wedding planning tips and resources at http://weddings.myguidesusa.com

Wedding Champagne Flutes and Cake Server Sets for Your Wedding Reception

Brushed Rhinestone Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $42.00	Satin Finish Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $47.00	Royal Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $42.00
Toasting Champagne Flutes in a Vase & Cake Server Set From $37.00	Beach Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $30.00	Designer Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $40.00
Pearl Heart Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $36.00	Simplicity Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $23.00	Trumpet Wedding Toasting Flutes $36.00
Double Hearts Toasting Flutes $24.00	Modern Flare Bride & Groom Toasting Flutes $32.00	Modern Flare Toasting Flutes $34.00
The Love Cake Server Set $40.00	25th Wedding Anniversary Flutes & Cake Server Set $42.30	50th Wedding Anniversary Flutes & Cake Server Set $42.30
Embossed Cake Server Set $36.00

Unique Receptions- Delayed Wedding Receptions

by Bridget Mora

It is not always practical or desirable to have a reception immediately following the wedding ceremony. That does not mean that you can’t have a party to celebrate your union – it is entirely appropriate to have a reception at a later date. These are some of the things to keep in mind when planning a delayed wedding reception.

There are a variety of reasons why a couple might choose to have their wedding ceremony and reception on two different dates. One of the most common reasons is in the case of an elopement. Other couples might choose to have a very intimate marriage ceremony with only immediate family, and then to have a big party later. Another reason that you might separate the two events is for geography. If most of your family and friends live in California, but you and your fiance plan to be married in New York, a delayed reception in your hometown would make a lot of sense.

When you are planning a delayed reception, the first question is one of timing. Ideally, you would like to schedule the two events as close together as is practical. This way, you are still in the spirit of the wedding, before real life starts to creep back in and take the edge off of your bridal glow. It also makes the party more exciting for your friends and family, if they are getting to see you for the first time after your ceremony at the party. If you have been married for months and months, it might feel more like a regular party than a wedding reception.

If you are planning to have a delayed reception, you will want to be sure to word the invitations carefully. It needs to be clear that this is a party in honor of the newlyweds, not an invitation to actually witness the marriage ceremony itself. The wording can be tricky, especially when you are issuing the reception invitations before the nuptials take place. It is much easier when the invitations are sent out after the fact. All you have to say is something like, “Please join us for a reception in honor of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. David Smith (Julie Frank), who were wed in a private ceremony on March 1st.” Then go on to provide the details of the date, location, and R.s.v.p. information for the party.

Most brides will choose to wear their bridal gown and wedding jewelry for the reception. You may want to also wear a veil for part of the event, especially if you are doing a ceremonial first dance.(It looks so pretty in the pictures.) Your guests will be delighted to get a glimpse of you in your wedding dress and jewelry. It would be somewhat anti-climactic for the bride to appear wearing regular party clothes. If your ceremony was an elopement and you did not wear a wedding gown, the delayed reception can be your chance to wear a fancy bridal ensemble. You do not want to feel as though you are wearing a costume, but a simple A-line gown could be very nice (you can skip the veil if you did not wear one for your ceremony).

The delayed wedding reception can really be exactly like one that follows directly after the vows, other than the timing. It can be a very practical solution for many situations, and is no less special for being slightly delayed. In fact, you may even find that having a little time between the wedding ceremony and the reception makes you feel more relaxed for the party, and that you will enjoy it even more.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Wedding jewelry makes a wonderful keepsake that you will enjoy wearing for many years.

Weddings Ideas to Go Green, And to Give Back

by Linda Ellison

Are you a “bride-zilla”? Hopefully not. This term was of course coined for the bride who goes overboard in her demands for her wedding, even throwing temper tantrums when things aren’t quite going her way.

Fortunately, not all brides are like this, and not only are they absolutely joyful during “their” day, but some couples even use the occasion of their wedding to express their concern for others, and concern for the environment. Any bride and groom can use their big day as an opportunity to give back to the community and to show respect for the earth, with the right socially conscious wedding ideas. Here are just a few:

Stay simple and as small as possible. More guests mean more transportation, more food, and more energy. Fewer guests mean less waste and less consumption. Keep all your wedding ideas tasteful but modest.

Cut down on the auto emissions by using fewer cars to and from the ceremony. If you must use limos, use just one for the men and one for the women. Better yet, skip the limousines and use compact cars. If you can find a horse-drawn carriage, consider this as an eco-friendly wedding idea, not just a romantic one!

Many brides are setting up websites to share with friends and family all the plans they’re making for the wedding and to post photos, the story of how the couple met, and so on. Another eco-friendly wedding idea is to use this website as a means of getting your invitation RSVPs as well, to eliminate both the paper used for the cards and the gasoline used to deliver them.

Use recycled material as much as possible. This means napkins, place cards for the seating chart, matchbook covers, and whatever other paper wedding ideas you have at your reception. You can even shop for invitations that are made from recycled paper as well; many invitation companies offer this option.

Avoid the word “disposable.” This only refers to something that’s going to be used once and thrown away. For some years, a popular wedding idea has been to leave disposable cameras at each table of the reception hall for guests to take candid shots, but this means several dozen disposable cameras thrown away within a few days. Multiply that by the number of weddings that happen across the U.S. every weekend and you see why the landfills are so … full.

In addition to recycled material, cut down on WHAT you use as well. Have one main menu for each table placed attractively in the middle rather than a separate menu for each guest. This principle can apply for all your wedding ideas that are printed – forego so many of the inserts in your invitations that are unnecessary, such as the blotter sheet, the inner envelope, and so on.

And the decorations are another area where you can be simple to conserve and cut back on energy usage. Everyone wants a breathtaking venue and reception hall and your wedding ideas may be something grand in scale, but consider getting creative with decorations that can be reused. For example, stringing lights around artificial trees can add a beautiful touch to any wedding – both the lights and the trees can be taken home to reuse.

Potted plants are better than cut flowers, balloons, and crepe paper, all of which will just be thrown away. Speak with your florist about what wedding ideas there are for blooming plants that will add just the right color and style for your location; guests can then take the plants home afterward. Use candles for the ceremony and reception as much as possible (being mindful of safety of course). This wedding idea will not only add a romantic feel, it will cut back on energy usage from lights.

Making things simple can also apply to your menu. Many couples forego a full dinner because of budget reasons, but think about how much energy is used to make a multiple-course meal for hundreds. To save some energy, make your reception wedding ideas simple. By having a smaller wedding later in the evening you can offer a simple appetizer and dessert menu, saving not only energy but money as well. Speak to your caterer openly and candidly about what you’re looking for.

And be mindful of your wedding ideas when it comes to favors as well. Make sure you’re choosing items that will be used and appreciated; many brides have given up the option of bottled water with personalized labels, as some fail to recycle the bottles. Whatever your choice of favors, be sure that it’s something that guests will keep and appreciate.

And the most responsible and conscientious thing that couples are doing today with their wedding ideas is making sure that not even the leftover food goes to waste. Before your ceremony, get in touch with a local soup kitchen and arrange to have any leftovers donated, if possible. You can even get your guests involved and ask that they donate to a favorite charity in lieu of gifts to you, or choose gifts that can be given to a local children’s hospital, homeless shelter, and so on. These are great socially conscious wedding ideas for the couple that is getting married after having already established a household, meaning that they have little need for the typical blenders, toasters, and so on.

All of these socially conscious wedding ideas are just some ways that brides and grooms can show their concern and respect for the environment and for others. Many are keeping in mind that while it’s “their” day, it’s “our” planet, and there’s no better time to show your appreciation for that than with your own generous and original wedding ideas.

Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Wedding Cakes and the Guests Who Love Them – Buying Tips to Protect Your Wallet and Tastebuds

by Jim D. Kim

Wedding cakes…a brief overview.

As a young lass (or lad) growing up, you’re probably used to cake at parties. After all, a birthday party without cake and candles is really just a get together in my book. That said, for the grandest of your parties, you must have the grandest of all cakes!

I’m not going to go into a lot of detail about what a wedding cake is. If you don’t know that by now, you have problems too big to solve through a web article.

But simple as they are, here are the FAQs most couples have when purchasing.

Are they expensive?
Yeah. They’re a lot of dough! Sorry. Couldn’t help it. On average, Americans spend $575 on their wedding cakes and average around $3 per slice.

Why do some wedding cakes taste really bad? Are they frozen or baked fresh?
Ever been to a really great wedding, eaten a delicious meal, and had it topped off with a something that tasted like styrofoam wrapped in stale butter? Chances are good that the cake you ate was baked the night (or two) before and frozen until ready for serving. Not all frozen cakes are bad. They are baked to be frozen, and most good bakers know how to bake in a way to preserve the moistness and flavor you expect (and pay a fortune for).

Most bakers are reluctant to tell you whether your cake will be baked fresh or frozen beforehand. But you’ll get a good ideas based on how many weddings they can do in a weekend. If they’re serving cakes for 10+ weddings in a single weekend and it’s a small one-shop operation, there’s a pretty good chance the cake is being frozen beforehand. Otherwise, it’s mathematically impossible to bake 10 huge cakes in one morning.

How do bakers set their price?
One of the big cost drivers is the number of levels of your cake, or in cake parlance: “Tiers.” The higher the number of tiers, the more baking there is to do. Not only that, wedding cakes become more fragile as you add tiers. This adds to the complexity when delivering and will increase your pricetag.

Also, you should consider whether the cake tiers should be stacked right on top of each other, Big Mac-style. Or if you want small columns separating the layers of the cake.

Should I get fondant vs. buttercream frosting?
In my opinion, this decision comes down to one of taste vs design. People who make wedding cakes love fondant because it frees up their design possibilities. You can color fondant to any shade (think Tiffany blue!), mold it to any shape, and it’s easy for the baker to work with.If you plan on an elaborate design, or prefer an untextured look, fondant is for you. Be warned, however, that many people don’t like the way fondant tastes. It has a thick waxy feeling to it and is very sweet. It’s something to be tasted before purchased.

Buttercream frosting is when your focus is on taste. Hello people?! It’s got the word “butter” AND “cream” in it. The word alone tastes delicious! Buttercream is more of a traditional frosting style for wedding cakes, because of it’s white color and universal taste appeal. It can be used for almost any cake flavor (fruit filled, chocolate, vanilla, etc.).

What flavors do wedding cakes come in?
It used to be that you could have any flavor as long as it was vanilla or chocolate. But…oh how the times have changed! These days you can fill your cake with just about any type of fruit, liquer or cream center. You can even mix the cake layers so some are different flavors from others. A surefire way to find the first compromise for a newlywed couple! Be warned, however, that some bakers will charge you extra for having multiple flavors in the same cake. Definitely ask upfront if this is the case with your baker.

What fruit fillings go in wedding cakes?
If you decide to go with a fruit filling (and I highly recommend that you do, and then invite me to eat the leftovers), you should always be focused on picking a fruit that is in season at the time of your event. Remember that wedding cakes are ordered well in advance of the wedding day, so the fruits in season at the time of order may be different than what’s in season on the wedding day.

Ordering out of season fruit generally increases the cost, and adds risk that your cake won’t taste as fresh baked.

How does a cake that big fit into the backseat of my Civic?
Great question. It doesn’t. It fits into the back of your baker’s cargo van, and sometimes they charge you for this service. Make sure you ask if there are delivery fees associated with the cake. This can be hidden, so be sure to ask. Also ask how much decorating the baker will do when they drop the wedding cakes off. Will the dress it with flowers? Or leave it on the door step for someone else to “deal” with?!

What about the cake provided by the wedding reception site?
What about ignoring it? That cake is being outsourced to a baker skilled in the creation of wedding cakes, then it’s being brought to your wedding and added to your bill with a nice profit markup for the reception hall. There is almost no instance when it makes sense to order this cake over one you can get direct from a baker.

Be warned, however, that some reception facilities will CHARGE you for bringing in a different cake. They will refer to it as a “plating” fee or some other such nonsense, but it can cost over $1 per person if your facility charges such a fee. Better to ask upfront to avoid any surprises to your budget.

How many cake pieces do I need?
All you need is this formula: # of Guests – 10 = Number of Pieces needed.

Are wedding cakes coordinated with the reception flowers and other decorations?
You bet they are. In fact, wedding cakes are often the centerpiece of the décor for many weddings. Your baker will be familiar with his/her role as it relates to dressing up the cake for the wedding. But you should always discuss specifically what the baker will do upon delivering the cake. Sometimes the florist decorates the cake, but many bakers are happy to use the flowers that are being used for your wedding. But that means the florist needs to set aside some flowers to be used as cake decorations, and that means the flowers need to be delivered before the cake is delivered. See how that all ties together?

Keep in mind too that when using fresh flowers as cake decorations, be sure that none of them have been sprayed with pesticides or other inedible chemicals.

What do I do about a cake cutter?
Traditionally, couples pulled out a fancy cake cutter (like Excalibur or something) to make the ceremonial first cut of the wedding cake. The cake cutter then became another memento from the big day. If budget is an issue, we suggest you add a cake cutter to your gift registry as an item a guest might provide for you.

Alternatively, bear in mind that the reception halls almost always have a decorative cake cutter you use for your cake cutting. That prevents you from having to buy your own.

What is the groom’s cake? And do I need one?
Traditionally, the groom’s cake was a dark fruitcake and was sometimes served by the groom during the rehearsal dinner. Sometimes the groom’s cake was a few small cakes that were individually wrapped and handed out to guests to take home. The female guests would tuck these cakes under their pillows that night and dream of the man they would one day marry!

Today, the groom’s cake is still popular at southern weddings but in other regions it is seen as a completely optional way to add some extra flair to the wedding. It’s the one opportunity the groom has to show his affection for football with a cake shaped like a football helmet! Usually the cakes are dark (outside and filling), and there’s a good chance if you order it from the same place making the wedding cake, you can get a pretty significant discount on it.

Looking for more cheap wedding cake ideas? Then, be sure to visit us here!

Jim Kim, Contributor
http://www.wedding-budget-tips.com

Personalized Wedding Garter Sets

Dating back to the 14th Century, tossing the garter has become just as much a part of tradition as well as fun. These wedding garters come with a complimentary tossing garter. Some may even be personalized to make your finishing touch even more special.

 

Embroidered “I Do” Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Love Initials Wedding Garter in White $24.00	Good Luck Wedding Garter in White $20.00
Beach Wedding Garter in White $24.00	Pocket Wedding Garter in White $19.00	Simply Initials Garter in White $24.00
Something Blue Adjustable Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Starlight Wedding Garter in White From $18.00	Vine Monogram Garter in White $24.00
A Very Special Date Garter in White $24.00	Crystal Heart Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Sparkling Entwined Wedding Garter in White $22.00
Birds of a Feather Wedding Garter in White $16.00	Dancing Daisies Wedding Garter in White $14.00	Entwined Heart Wedding Garter in White $25.00
Ribbon Collection Wedding Garter in White $16.00	Simply Darling Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Sparkling Adjustable Wedding Garter in White $20.00

Embroidered “I Do” Wedding Garter in Ivory $18.00	Candlelight Adjustable Wedding Garter in Ivory $20.00	Starlight Wedding Garter in Ivory $18.00
Eleanor Lace Wedding Garter in Ivory $18.00	Beach Wedding Garter in Ivory $24.00	Crystal Heart Wedding Garter in Ivory $18.00
Something Blue Adjustable Wedding Garter in Ivory $18.00	Sparkling Entwined Wedding Garter in Ivory $22.00	Ivory Bow Tie Adjustable Wedding Garter Originally $16.00 $14.00

Embroidered “I Do” Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Love Initials Wedding Garter in White $24.00	Blue Crush Wedding Garter $24.00
Good Luck Wedding Garter in White $20.00	Something Blue Adjustable Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Blue Pearl Adjustable Wedding Garter $18.00
Crystal Heart Wedding Garter in White $18.00	Birds of a Feather Wedding Garter in White $16.00

Personalized Wedding Cake Toppers

With our wide assortment of monogrammed, novelty, themed and personalized wedding cake toppers, your “cherry on top” is sure to dazzle. These personalized wedding cake toppers also work perfectly for anniversary, birthday and graduation celebrations. So, whether you’re commemorating your marriage, years of wedded bliss or another special occasion, let our cake toppers be a part of your merriment.

Lettered Swarovski Crystal Cake Toppers From $22.00	Personalized Acrylic Heart Cake Topper $25.00	Personalized Acrylic Square Cake Topper $25.00
Personalized Acrylic Circle Cake Topper $25.00	Photo Cake Topper $22.00	Square Glass Photo Vase $30.00
50th Wedding Anniversary Swarovski Cake Topper in Gold $44.00	25th Wedding Anniversary Cake Topper $25.00	25th Wedding Anniversary Swarovski Cake Topper $44.00
50th Wedding Anniversary Cake Topper $25.00	50th Wedding Anniversary Swarovski Cake Topper $44.00	Crystal Heart Cake Topper with Stand $26.00
Keepsake Memories Box $22.00	Personalized Celebration Cake Topper $25.00	Swarovski Crystal Cake Top Numbers From $22.00

Decorative Wedding Cake Serving Sets

Be prepared to make that first slice as Husband and Wife with one of our decorative wedding cake serving sets that will look beautiful in the pictures and will serve as a wonderful keepsake for the years ahead.

Brushed Rhinestone Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $45.00	Satin Finish Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $47.00	Royal Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $46.00
Toasting Champagne Flutes in a Vase & Cake Server Set From $41.00	Beach Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $30.00	Beach Wedding Collection From $229.50
Designer Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $42.00	Gold Parisian Romance Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $60.00	Silver Parisian Romance Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $60.00
Simplicity Champagne Flutes & Cake Server Set From $24.00	The Love Cake Server Set $44.00

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