Planning a Wedding? Relax!

Planning a Wedding? Relax!

Whatever the cause, stress and anxiety can be managed by some simple steps.

1. Eat Right

That is, don’t overload on sweets and other “comfort” foods. Why is this important? A healthy and balanced diet can reduce the effects that our bodies experience when under stress.

2. Exercise

Again, exercise can reduce the effects of stress. When we exercise we use energy, and this energy we expend can actually drain stress right out of our bodies. How much exercise do we need to combat stress? Not really that much. In fact, a simple walk in the morning of at least 15 minutes can help reduce stress levels.

3. BreatheYou

You probably think you don’t need to be reminded to breathe; after all, you need to breathe to live, right? However, when you’re stressed you’re probably hyperventilating or taking quick, shallow breaths, when what you really need to do is slow down and take several slow, deep breaths. And, by deep breaths, I’m talking expanding-your-stomach kind of breaths. Slowly. Letting your breath out – slowly.

4. Distract Yourself

Take a moment to read something other than wedding magazines. Read a novel. Put together a jigsaw puzzle, or solve a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Force yourself to take a break from wedding planning.

5. Use Relaxation Techniques

If you can and there’s one available, take a class in yoga, meditation or self-hypnosis. These are all excellent techniques to slow down and relax. With self-hypnosis, which is more focused and directed than meditation, you can program yourself to be more relaxed during the day. While in hypnosis you can use an “anchoring” device (such as touching your finger to your thumb) combined with a word, such as “relax” that you can program yourself to use in your waking hours whenever you find yourself getting stressed out. If you find yourself getting distracted during self-hypnosis, and there are registered hypnotists or hypnotherapists available in your area, visit one who can make a personalized hypnosis CD for you so you can listen on a daily basis. Or, purchase a mass-produced relaxation CD. There are many fine generic ones on the market today which will help you learn to relax.

Planning a wedding can be a special and fun event in your life. The key is to gain control over the stress, rather than let it control you.

By Shari Hearn

Top Ways to Save on Wedding Invitations

Top Ways to Save on Wedding Invitations

Keep your guest list small.

The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations you’re going to have to send out, so take a little time to create a guest list that you and your spouse will be satisfied with—and one that will fit your budget. Let your friends and family know when you’ll be getting married as soon as you can, so that they can tell you if they’ll be able to make it. For those who won’t be able to attend, you can send alternate invitations on different paper that may be a little less expensive, so that your loved ones can still keep a reminder of your special day. Now is

not the time to be extremely polite—this is your day, and you deserve to have the people you love at your ceremony. Just because people know that you’re getting married, doesn’t mean they all have to come to wedding. Remember, the more invitations you send out, the more people that will show up, the more reception dinners you’ll have to pay for…and the list goes on. Keeping your guest list small will help you to save on other wedding costs as well, so choose wisely.

Make your own invitations.

If you’re especially crafty or know exactly how you want your invitations to look (and haven’t seen this look in stores or online) you may want to consider making your invitations yourself. This way, you can save money, and add your own special touches to make an invitation that really is unique to your ceremony and your relationship. Of course, you may still have to ask for help, but if you need friends and family to give you pointers on the invitation design or provide supplies for you to use, you won’t have to pay for labor. You can also be sure that no one will have your invitations, and this will be another way to give guests the impression that your wedding will be an event to remember. You can also look online for wedding invitation templates to follow if you want to keep things a little more traditional, or aren’t quite ready to try your hand at such a crafty task. Here are some sites that may help: www.southworth.com, www.yourinvitationplace.com, and www.theweddingplace.com.

Use less paper.

Your invitation doesn’t have to be two or three pages; you can save the story of how you met for the wedding video or the wedding programs in order to cut costs. A single sheet invitation will usually save you money, and looks very classy and sophisticated. If you want to add photos to your wedding invitations, you may want to use a photo of wedding rings, or a picture of you and your fiancé as a backdrop, and include all the information about the ceremony on the same sheet. Using one ink color and a smaller border can also help to save money. The key is to make your wedding invitations look interesting and tasteful enough for people to want to attend the ceremony, and you can definitely do this without spending a whole lot of money. After all, you want to save for that fabulous dress and great reception—these are the things that will keep your guests remembering your day for years to come.

By Michael Ferrell

Easy Way To Find Free Wedding Hairstyles

Easy Way To Find Free Wedding Hairstyles

The top place to begin looking for free wedding hairstyles and advice are the major search engines. You can browse through tons of advice and how to articles and even find great pictures of popular wedding hairstyles this way. Just go to your favorite search engine like google or yahoo and type in your keyword. The list below will help you finding great sources of free wedding hairstyles * Wedding hairstyles * Wedding updos * Wedding hairstyle picture * Celebrity wedding hairstyles * Wedding day hairstyle

If you are looking for pictures and photographs or actual wedding hairstyles then a great place

to look is google images. This is a part of google that will search online for images and pictures. You can use the above terms in the search engine and google will find tons of great pictures. Simply click on any of the pictures to view them on the site. Often this will help you find an unlimited source of wedding hairstyle pictures that you can get ideas from.

So what do you do with all of these great images, advice and articles? It can almost be overwhelming. First you will want to think about the type of wedding that you are having. If you are having a formal wedding then look using keywords like formal wedding hairstyles or casual wedding hairstyles. This will help narrow down the results and focus your searches. You can also put quotes around the search keywords to find a more focused result. You can also try searching based on the length of your chosen hairstyle. For example pictures of short hair wedding hairstyle or substitute the word long and see what you find.

Copy and Past Once you have found some pictures that you like you can easily right click on your mouse and copy the picture and then past it into a word document. You can save this or print it out for reference material. This will help if you decide to go to a hairstylist and have a consultation or even pay for a hairstyling. Having your resource pictures will help guide the stylist so you can get the result you are after.

Mix and Match Often you will not find the exact style that you are looking for but rather you will have to mix and match a variety of pictures. Simply spend some time looking and don't worrya about the end result. Just have fun and copy the styles that you like. Don't worry if they fit exactly what you are looking for. For example you might like the way one hairstyle uses flowers but find another overall hairstyle that suits your particular needs much better. So print both of the pictures and bring them into your hairstylist. You can easily tell the stylist, "I like the flowers in this picture but would like a style more like this one." You get the idea simply don't worry too much if you do not find the exact style you are looking for.

Print and Consult This was already briefly spoken about above but once you find some pictures you like past them into another document and print them. Bring these printed pictures to your hairstylist as some great resource materials. Then during the consultation share what you like about each one and discuss the ideas openly with the stylist. Ask them for suggestions and ideas. Even if you choose to do your own wedding hairstyle consulting with a professional can be very helpful in gather great ideas and tips.

The internet is a wonderful source of free wedding hairstyle ideas. Simply take the time to do a little searching and plan ahead and you will have the perfect wedding hairstyle for your big day.

by Sam Smith

New Updo Hairstyles for You

New Updo Hairstyles for You

First, shampooing long hair is best done standing up, preferably in the shower. This helps reduce matting and tangling. You should choose a shampoo that fits your hair's needs. For instance, chemically treated or damaged hair should be treated with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Only apply shampoo to the scalp and then rub in circular motions to clean the scalp thoroughly. When you rinse, work the shampoo through the ends of your hair and this will also help with less tangles. Your goal is to clean your scalp, so it is not necessary to rub shampoo into the ends of your hair. Use several

towels to blot your hair dry. Never rub wet hair because this is a major cause of matting and tangling.

Second, combing and brushing long hair can be difficult if you do not use the proper tools and technique. To make combing wet hair easier, start with a leave-in conditioner. Using a large tooth bone comb, start at the ends and work up a little, about an inch at a time, getting the tangles out. If you are working with dry hair, a large paddle brush works best. Again always start at the bottom and slowly work up to the scalp. When blow drying long hair, use your fingers to comb through the hair from scalp to ends while drying.

Third, you need a few hair tools on hand to make the perfect hairdo. They include a large comb, square paddle brush, bobby pins, hairpins, and elastic bands. The best elastic bands to use are covered with some type of material. You might not have known there is a difference in bobby pins and hairpins, but using them correctly will help your hairstyle. Bobby pins touch in the middle and are designed to hold the weight of your hair. Hairpins are made to hold hair in place that has already been secured with bobby pins. You can make curls and then spread them and hold them in place with hairpins.

There are lots of great hairstyles you can choose once you have mastered the basics and have your hair clean and ready. Braids and updos are perfect hairstyles for proms, senior pictures, bridal pictures, weddings, and formal functions. Many hairstyle professionals can style your clean dry hair in an updo in about 15 minutes. Having long hair doesn't have to mean always wearing a ponytail. Talk with your hairstyle professional about some of the many hairdos that would work for you.

Having Fun with Wedding Crashers

Having Fun with Wedding Crasher

A wedding crasher can be an unexpected wedding guest that no one really knows. This is a person that is looking for some fun and would like to do so at your wedding. They will usually be nice people that mean no harm and are just looking for a good time. When this is the case, you can have a lot of fun too.

here are certain people that are called wedding crashers and they are not so nice. They are the people that you want to keep out of your wedding because they are looking to wreck your special day and make it a nightmare. These people need to be watched for so that they can be kept out and kept

silent.

The bad wedding crashers can be anyone from an old boyfriend to a crazy family member that wants to ruin the wedding all together. These are the ones to watch out for because they can turn a beautiful day into a complete disaster. Getting married is stressful enough without having to worry about who wants to make it a bad memory instead of a good one.

You may also get the wedding crasher that wants to steal your money and other gifts. If you see someone that is out of place, keep an eye on him or her to make sure that they are not there to steal from you. This would be a terrible way to start your new life together.

Wedding crasher that is fun can be a real enjoyment. These are the people that will sing, dance, and be the life of the party. They will be the ones out there on the dance floor living it up and getting the rest of the wedding guest excited too. These types of people will be a dream to your wedding and if they are not hurting anyone, let them alone. Chances are they are just out for a good time and there is no real harm in that.

Getting a wedding crasher at your wedding is not that likely. They are in fact very rare and if you do have one attending, chances are they will be the good kind. The one thing that you should do is keeping an eye out for anyone that looks different. If they stand out in the crowd or bring a lot of attention to themselves, this could be a hint.

By Morten Flatner

Cheap Wedding Rings

Cheap Wedding Rings

Just because you go for cheap wedding rings, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality, beauty or style. There are hundreds of rings available to suit any budget and finding cheap wedding rings within your budget is easy. Just follow these tips:

Choose your metal wisely
Platinum is the metal of choice for many brides at the moment, but it’s also the most expensive of all the jewellery metals. (It’s about twice the price of gold).

If you’re after a silver look, why not try white gold? You get the durability of gold, with the look of platinum but half the price. Yellow gold is very popular and rose coloured gold is also gaining in popularity too.

For really cheap wedding rings, silver is the way to go. After all, it’s not the metal that counts – it’s what the ring symbolises.
Titanium wedding rings are also very cheap, ultra light and very hardwearing, making them another perfect solution for those on a low

Weight is important too
Metals are priced by weight, so the thicker you go with your wedding band, the higher the price will be. Cheaper wedding rings are obviously those that are thinner.

The best advice is to match the ring to the width of your engagement ring, that way the two rings will sit well together. For your partner, try different sizes that suit his hand.

Having a fancy design is becoming more and more popular. It's a great way to be individual but it sometimes comes with a cost. Stick to your budget
When shopping around, be clear to tell the shop assistants what your budget is. Ask to only see rings within that budget. Don’t be tempted to try on other rings, you can always upgrade later in life, when you’re not spending a fortune on a wedding!

Buy direct for the best prices
I found that buying direct from suppliers was the only way to get the best prices. When I was looking for cheap wedding rings, I found Wedding Rings Direct – a small company based in Brighton that specialises in wedding rings. They were the cheapest prices I found online and they track the price of metal on daily basis, so you know you’re going to get the best price.

They offer a great service, one-to-one advice and no pressured selling. You can even try all the rings you like before buying them.

Other sources for cheap wedding rings
If you don’t fancy buying online, then there are several good places in the real world where you can find bargains. First of all, I’d suggest shopping around to compare prices. Then when you know you’ve found the best deal - strike.

Some good areas to look are Hatton Garden in London, where you’ll find independent jewellers giving wholesale prices on wedding rings, diamonds and other jewellery.

The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham also offers some great deals or if they’re too far to travel to, try a local independent jeweller on your high street.

The independent jewellers are much more likely to give you a discount if you ask, so don’t be afraid to try your hand at negotiation, especially if you’re buying all your rings at once!

My final suggestion would be to exchange your food shopping vouchers for your wedding rings. Tesco have teamed up with Goldsmiths and you can now redeem your Clubcard vouchers for jewellery. So start collecting your points now.

The Secrets To Finding & Buying Cheap Wedding Dresses

The Secrets to Finding & Buying Cheap Wedding

These days there are loads of options for finding cheap wedding dresses. You've just got to know where to look

You probably already know exactly how you want to look on your wedding day. Perhaps your perfect wedding dress is a dreamy, princess style or a maybe a sleek elegant number for your beach wedding?

Whatever your style, your wedding dress could take a great big chunk out of your budget. So these articles are intended to help you get the best deal, know where to look and give you ideas for cheap dresses.

First off, you need to know where to find cheap wedding dresses. From the high street to the internet, you’ll discover the best places to get the best deals. If you've already found your dress in a wedding boutique, be sure to read these tips so you don't get stung for additional costs which many bridal shops will add.
If you’re thinking of buying a second hand wedding dress you could look at the selection available right here on the site. Before you do, have a read of these tips when buying used wedding dresses.

There are also articles filled with ideas for finding cheap plus size wedding dresses and style advice for maternity wedding dresses.

Finally if you’re flying off for a romantic wedding in the sun on a glorious beach, there are tips and ideas for beach wedding dresses too.

"Discover The Different Meanings of Your Wedding Flowers"

"Discover The Different Meaning of Your Wedding Flowers "

Some flowers you will possibly not want in your bouquet but will still want to include them as part of your wedding flowers. Bamboo for example can be very unwieldy in a bouquet but as it stands for strength and loyalty you might consider it for other arrangements of wedding flowers.

Lilys are also popular as wedding flowers and they have come to mean majesty while foget-me-nots as wedding flowers mean true love.

Something you may never have considered for wedding flowers is wheat but its meaning of riches is something that is wishes for every couple. Also ivy in wedding flowers means eternal fidelity, blue violets mean faithfulness and lemon blossom is fidelity in love.

A good florist will advise on color and style and will also be able to tell you what flowers will be available at the particular time of year. This saves you getting your heart stuck on daffodils in the middle of November. Although these days most flowers can be grown to order at any time of year, the cost can be prohibative.

We have brought you some outstanding suppliers of wedding flowers that can deliver same day or next day to your door.The time a delivery will take will depend on time zone and at what time you place your order for your wedding flowers.

They have a network of florists dealing with wedding flowers all over the country and can provide you with excellent advice and a speedy service. Check out the links below and discover a world of flowers suitable for your wedding and many other occasions.