Get the Most Out of Bridal Shows

It’s almost that time of the year! Bridal Show season is just around the corner. Not surprising since 19% of all engagements take place in December. All other months are only 9% or less! (Source: Fairchild American Wedding Survey).

A Bridal Show is a great place to get started with your wedding plans. Held at various types of venues – including convention centers, banquet halls, even your local shopping mall -- they can be quite large (100 different vendors or more!) or much smaller, and more intimate (only 10-20 different vendors). But regardless of the size, the main purpose is still the same, you get a chance to take a sneak peek at the local professionals – see examples of their work, taste samples of cakes and foods, and collect vendor brochures and literature.

While tempting, now is not the time to get all of your planning done in a whirlwind of a few hours. You want to be a savvy shopper, and select just the right vendors for you. Before you go, here are some tips offered by Jean Neuhart, Professional Bridal Consultant, and owner of Weddings From The Heart, to make the trip easier, fun, and worthwhile.

Create a game plan. Which types of vendors you are most interested in? Are you looking for a DJ? Perhaps you still need a florist. Figure out the types of vendors you most want to see, then plan on visiting their booths first.

Things to bring: Pen and paper, (you’ll want to take notes). A tote bag (to carry all those flyers and brochures you’ll be picking up). Address labels (saves time filling out all those contest and door prize slips). Cash (to pay for admission and to purchase a light snack or beverage). Checkbook or credit card (in case you find the perfect vendor and want to put down a deposit).

Wear comfortable shoes. And if possible, leave your coat in the car. You’ll have enough to carry without having to lug around or wear a coat. And you’ll be that much happier if you’re comfortable. Also, wear clothing with pockets. When you come across a vendor that you especially want to remember, place his or her card in your pocket instead of in the tote bag where it can get mixed up with all of the other cards and flyers you’ll be getting.

Bring only one or two people with you. Have mom, your maid of honor, a bridesmaid, or fiancé come along. They can help you carry the brochures you’ve picked up, and you’ll have someone who knows you to bounce ideas off of. Just don’t bring a whole entourage. It’s harder to keep a large group together (you don’t want to be spending your time looking for who you came with!) Also, too many people will offer too many different opinions, which will be confusing, and not enjoyable at all.

Eat before the show. Not all shows offer snacks for purchase, and you don’t want to be walking around on an empty tummy! While there will be plenty of yummy samples of foods and cakes to try, this is not the place to load up your plate for a meal.

Take notes. Jot down pricing and package information, as well as your personal opinions. Is there anything about a vendors’ personality that stands out to you? Is he or she courteous and polite, or unfriendly and grumpy? Are they enjoying themselves, or do they seem to want to be somewhere else? After you get home and are sorting through that pile of flyers you’ve picked up, it will be hard to remember who was who. A few notes will help remind you who you’ll want to contact later, (and who you want to steer clear of!).

A popular portion of most bridal shows is the Fashion Show. If you’re like most brides, you’ll want to attend it, so find a seat early – at least 20-30 minutes before it starts. However, if you already have your gown, or otherwise aren’t planning on attending the fashion show, use this time to talk with the vendors you are most interested in. Things will be much more quiet and calm, and you’ll have a better chance at getting their undivided attention.

Don’t feel that you have to make a decision at the show. Sure, all of the vendors would love for you to sign on the dotted line right then, and may even offer a discount if you do. But wouldn’t you rather be a savvy shopper and take time to carefully look over everything and figure out which vendors will truly best suit the style of wedding you and your fiancé envision?

Before you decide to book someone, be very thorough. Carefully read everything (literature, samples, flyers, contract – EVERYTHING!!) before you sign and put down a deposit. Make sure what they offer is really right for your wedding vision, is what you and your fiancé really want, and that their terms are acceptable. Ask questions so there is a complete understanding between you and the vendor. You don’t want that ‘great deal’ to turn out to be a headache because you didn’t notice the "additional costs" or the "fine print" . By : Jean Neuhart

So go and enjoy yourself! It’s just a bridal show!

Five signs your partner may have credit trouble

Five signs your partner may have credit trouble:

1. His/Her Salary Doesn't Support His/Her Spending.

Lucky you. Your partner is always springing for thoughtful gifts, fancy dinners and last-minute weekend getaways. But take a minute to consider whether his/her lifestyle matches income or if he/she is using plastic to fill the gap.

2. He/She Pays For Everything With Plastic.

Credit cards are accepted more places than ever. But if your partner is paying with credit, especially in places where purchases are small and cash is usually used -- such as coffee shops and taxis -- take note. He/she could be maximizing rewards points, but also could be short on cash; and if it's a credit card commonly associated with poor credit, beware.

3. He/She Uses More Cards Than A Vegas Black Jack Dealer.

The average American carries about four credit cards, but typically only uses about one or two. If your partner seems to have a lot of them and uses a different card on every occasion, it could be a sign he/she is near the limit on many cards.

4. He/She Makes Only the Minimum Payments and Continues To Charge.

It could be a sign that someone has a problem or an irresponsible outlook on spending.

5. He/She Hides His/Her Credit Activity.

Your relationship may have problems if your mate is sending credit-card bills to his/her work address, or if he/she is hiding purchases so you won't know he/she is excessively using the credit cards.

Source: CreditCards.com and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wedding Financial Tips

Tips on managing the wedding, and the marriage and wedding finances. Marriage can be an expensive event - the ceremony and reception require the most attention.

Weddings are an extremely special occasion for the bride and groom-to-be. There are so many finite details which go into planning a wedding that make this event a big deal. When planning a wedding, the couple needs to consider financial aspects with regard to their big day. There are a few financial tips for the happy couple so as to ensure that the financial planning which goes along with an event of this type will go as smoothly as possible.

Prepare a Budget

The first thing which a couple should do prior to purchasing any items for their wedding or reserving any establishments for the special event is to sit down and make a budget. This is beneficial for a few different reasons. First, the couple will be able to mark down how much they are able to spend on the wedding ceremony, wedding reception and any and all other expenses which go along with planning an event of this type. Secondly, by preparing a physical budget, the couple can adequately prepare a list of what types of items they will need to purchase and approximate how much each one will cost.

Save Money by Planning an Off-Season Wedding

For those individuals who do not really mind what time of year they exchange vows, there is a way to save money on the wedding by planning the big day at a time of the year where not every other couple is getting married. Although individuals can and do get married twelve months out of the year, there are certain seasons such as spring and summer where more couples engage in their nuptials. Certain establishments may offer discounts to couples who get married in the “off-season”. Not only will the couple save some money but they may be more likely to have their choice when it comes to booking establishments for the big day and be less likely to have the place filled up on that particular date.

Buy in Bulk

Another financial tip for couples to take advantage of when planning their wedding is to buy items in bulk. This is a distinct possibility with regard to weddings as there are usually quite a few guests who will be attending and one can often receive a discount on wedding related items that are bought in bulk, such as wedding favors in groups of 100 or 200, for example.

A wedding is such a special event that the couple is sure to want the day to go as smoothly as possible. In addition, they are most likely hoping to get as much for their money as possible and make the day as spectacular as it possibly can be. By creating an initial budget, considering getting married during the wedding off-season and attempting to buy wedding related items in bulk, the couple can get the most for the money without having to spend a fortune on the wedding ceremony and reception.

source by : my wedding blog.com

Wedding Tips

There are many facets to a wedding. Here are some wedding tips and advice we have written and collecting from people's personal experience with weddings. The right kind of wedding tips and advice can often assist you execute your planning efforts flawlessly the first time.

One’s wedding day is a special event for many reasons. First and foremost, two special people are joining together to become one in matrimony. Secondly, it is a time for friends and family members to get together and celebrate. Therefore, it is imperative that the day is as perfect as it possibly can be. There are a few wedding tips to help individuals make their wedding day a complete success.

Plan As Much In Advance as Possible
For those who are able to do so, planning in advance as much as possible is a great idea. Those couples who plan their wedding day spectacular in advance will find that not only will they be able to reserve the desired locations and obtain the perfect wedding day necessities, they will also be much more relaxed when the big day approaches. Planning in advance allows the individuals to feel prepared and prevent them from being rushed to get everything completed in time for their wedding day.

Make a Wedding Checklist or Purchase One

Another wedding tip for ensuring wedding day success is to prepare a list or buy a pre-made one which displays all that the couple needs to do in order to make their wedding day complete. Items such as reception hall rental, ceremony location rental, wedding attire purchases, flower purchases, etc. are just some of the things which the couple should have on their checklist. Many wedding preparation books which one can purchase at a bookstore will have lists of this type within them as well as a detailed timeline for when the couple should complete each task. This really helps the couple get their schedule together and complete everything fully and on time.

Prepare a Budget
An engaged couple who is about to start planning their wedding should sit down together and prepare a set budget to follow along the way. This can be done by looking at their total income, deciding who will be paying for what items or if it is a collective arrangement and allotting certain funds to specific purchases. This will provide the couple with a good financial plan to follow so that they can adequately spend certain amounts on each item and not be short of funds at the end.

Ask for Help

It is important to keep in mind that the engaged couple does not have to do this alone. It is more than okay to ask friends and family members for help with regard to the planning aspect of the wedding should they feel it necessary to do so. Things such as flower choices, wedding gown selections and even asking for help decorating the church or reception hall is fine and the friends and family members whom the couple asks to help with their wedding planning are sure to say yes to help make the day as special as possible.

The previously mentioned wedding tips are just a few ways in which to make your wedding day as special as possible. source : (my wedding blog.com)

10 Ways to Invest in Your Marriage

In today's world there are so many worries. Recently, we have been told about the Swine Flu and how important it is to wash our hands, cover our mouths when we cough, take more vitamin C as some of the precautions that may protect us from getting the flu. Weekly there's some new awfulness to consider like the Wall Street financial breakdown, job losses, 401k losses, home devaluation, high gasoline prices, school violence, lack of health insurance, global warming, bankruptcies of companies to big to fail and so forth. It appears that many things are falling apart. Change is occurring without your input.

One of the best ways to deal with uncertainty is to invest in your relationships especially your marriage. A healthy relationship will pay dividends year round and most especially during hard times the benefits will be substantial. Relationships are investments that are worthy of our time and effort. As a marriage partner you can reinvest your dividends or take a loss. Dividends are trust, warmth, safety and love. Losses are distrust, fear, anger, apathy and jealousy. Marriages, like investments, need our attention on a regular basis not just in time of a crisis. Ten ways to invest into your marriage are:

1. Be open to change. Change is something that cannot be avoided. Learn to embrace it by focusing on "what is" rather than on "what should be".

2. Learn to listen. Real listening is based on attention. It is important to take the time required and give your full attention to your partner. If you find you are too distracted then say so and establish another time that will work for both of you.

3. Be open to new ways of being together. It is easy to do the same activities week after week especially if you are raising children and have a demanding job. Consider doing different activities as a couple as a way to add zest to your relationship.

4. Take care of yourself. The ability to love another person is based on how well you care for yourself.

5. Be grateful, each day, for one thing about your companion. Accent the positive rather than the negative. Your relationship

will thrive.

6. Be generous. Difficulties arise when the focus is exclusively on what is wrong in the relationship. Remember your spouse, like you, is doing their best.

7. Ask for support. Your spouse is not a mind reader. Let your spouse know how you want to be supported.

8. Risk being vulnerable. Be willing to let your spouse know how you feel rather than pretend or avoid your feelings.

9. Make time for each other. Scheduling time together, on a weekly basis, will alleviate stress in your marriage.

10. Learn to respond to each other rather than react. Reacting is an impulsive act. While reacting may provide immediate relief, it will often have long-term negative consequences.

by Charlotte A. Michie

Preventing Stress of Being a Money in Marriage

Preventing Stress of Being a Money in Marriage

Marriage and money. If both are managed in a way that is wrong, money and marriage can make people become stressed. During this time, many couples strive to seek and raise money to meet their household needs. However, the economic conditions of the more difficult and the high prices in the household often needs to trigger the emergence of financial problems that affect the life of your marriage. How do I make a wedding money and thus can be coupled hands? This is the number of ways:

1. Stay Calm

Talking and discussing financial much better when you are in calm conditions, not in a state of emotion. When your emotions rise, the statement and how you will always correct you, while your partner is always wrong. So that both of you emotionally stable, harmless to stress management techniques like breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, massage or switch to listen to music soft.


3. Focus On Solutions

When faced with financial problems, sometimes even showing emotion and attitude of blame. This attitude of blame that can result in fatal for both of your household is taruhannya. Therefore, they should focus on how to find a solution. Accept your financial condition and pair now, and then create a clear plan about finances together. For example, how large the portion of your shopping for your own purposes, the portion for the pair, how much the cost of household needs, how much money akan ditabung and so forth.

4. Team Cooperation

Two heads are better than one. In marriage, it is very important, especially in cooperation in financial affairs. Yet, for all interests and gratify you both. You two can work together to create budgets, such as to make the repayments house, car, buying a home needs, and children's education costs.

5. Search Help

If there is still difficulty in overcoming financial problems and how to manage finances together, talk with a third party who can be trusted. You can talk with both of Financial Advisors. Financial advisors will help find solutions and about your financial settlement. Financial problems can impact on the relationship you both. So, no ruginya if you both ask for help from the Marriage Advisory.

Text: Ratri Suyani

Italy Honeymoons

Italy Honeymoons & Italy Romantic Getaways

Find out why they say "that's amore:" Italy's best places for honeymoons, destination weddings, and romantic getaways.

All About Rome @ All About Venice @

Italian Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda
Villa Feltrinelli, a beautifully restored and updated 1892 mansion, stands at the edge of Lake Garda in Italy's Lombardy region.

Alps of Italy
Discover one of the country's most scenic regions.

Discover Turin
What to see and do in this ancient yet modern city in northern Italy.

Photo Tour of Turin
View pictures of Turin (Torino), location of the XX Winter Olympic Games in Northern Italy's Piedmonte region.

Shopping in Southern Italy
Shopping in Southern Italy

Ski Italy
Close up of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

A Tuscany All-Inclusive Vacation
Spend an illuminating week touring and tasting Italy.

10 Top Cities in Italy
Quick overview from About.com's Guide to Italy.

10 Top Things to Do and See in Florence
About.com's Guide to Italy points out the don't-miss sights.

Culture
About's Italian Language guide explores culture and tradition.

Distance Calculator: Italy
About.com's Guide to Italy provides a map that enables you to calculate the distance between major cities in miles or km.

Hotel Links
Accommodation information for all the great cities of Italy.

Positano Overview
Info from About.com's Italy for Visitors Guide.

Romantic Villages and Cities in Italy
Picturesque seaside villages, beautiful countryside, and historic cities.

That's Amore
Practice your dialect with About's Italian Language guide.

Tuscany Travel Planner
In-depth coverage of the region for couples planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway. From About.com's Italy for Visitors Guide.

Car Rentals
Prices, models, and other info from European Travel Guide.

Cucina Italiana
Sound advice for eating in an Italian restaurant. From Global Gourmet.

Cybercafes
Places to check your email and surf the Web.

Destination Weddings
Alkar Travel specializes in making dream weddings come true in Italy.

Four Seasons Hotel - Milano
Once a 15th century monastery, this exquisite property is steps from Via Montenapoleone shopping.

Global Gourmet: Italy
Know what to order in an Italian restaurant.

Guide to Florence
Maybe you've always thought Italy was the most romantic place on earth. Maybe you're right. If you're planning to go there, stop here first.

Hotel Splendido
An Orient-Express hotel on the Italian Riviera.

Italy Weddings
A well-designed site designed to help you work out the details.

Villa Milani
Renaissance-style villa hotel in Spoleto, Umbria. Honeymoon package available.

Villa San Michele
You can stay in this former 15th century monastery with superb views of Florence and a façade designed by Michelangelo.

source by: honeymoon.about.com

Wedding Planning

Wedding Planning - Getting Married in Italy

Getting married in Italy can be very romantic but there are some legal steps you must take first. Here you will find information on getting married in Italy and places to hold your wedding in Italy.

Destination Weddings in Italy

About.com's guide to weddings tells you How You Can Plan a Destination Wedding in Italy from Abroad.

La Preghiera Bed and Breakfast

La Preghiera has a small chapel that is available for weddings. They can help you plan your wedding, too.

Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy - Top Romantic Wedding Location

The Grand Hotel in Florence, Italy, was chosen as the top romantic wedding destination by about.com's guide to weddings.

Amici d'Italia Weddings and Vacation Planning in Italy

Amici d'Italia has wedding planning information and services for people wanting to get married in Italy.

How to Get Married in Italy
This site has lots of information on how to get married in Italy and Italian wedding customs.

Italia Celebrations and Wedding Planning
Wedding planning and assistance for foreigners wanting to get married in Italy.

Italy Honeymoon Planning and Gift Registry - The Big Day Travel
Italy Honeymoon Planning and online gift registry from the Big Day Travel.

Weddings International - Italian Weddings
Weddings International helps you plan your wedding.

source by: http://weddings.about.com

7 Ways To Celebrate Your Wedding Anniversary

7 Ways To Celebrate
Your Wedding Anniversary

1. Start off right. Get up before she does to prepare a quick breakfast. Serve her breakfast in bed. You might want to plan out the menu and buy the necessary things you need to cook a great breakfast the day before your anniversary. Take a shower after that and return to her side. On the other hand, if you are the sort who makes a major mess of the kitchen whenever you cook anything or even when you make a cup of tea, then skip the breakfast in bed part. She might have a fit when she sees the kitchen after that.

2. Present her with a bouquet of roses. Order the roses a day or more in advance and

have them delivered right to the doorstep. She might chide you for wasting money, but she would be secretly very pleased with that romantic gesture.

3. If your kids are still young, book a babysitter in advance. You don't want your night to be ruined by crying babies at your table in the restaurant when you are trying to have a romantic candle lit dinner for two. Do go for a candle light dinner. Just the 2 of you in a favourite restaurant.

4. Relax together and take a break from your regular routine. If you both can, take a day's leave from work. Make your arrangements in the office in advance. If you can't try to go home early for a change, so you can spend more time together.

5. Don't forget the anniversary gifts. There is a different gift for each year or marriage. You might want to go with the traditional or modern gift this anniversary.

6. Each year, give your loved one a wedding anniversary ring to signify that year of marriage you have just shared together.

7. On your 10th wedding anniversary, have a party. Invite those who are dear to both of you to attend. In the presence of everyone, renew your wedding vows and exchange a pair of wedding anniversary rings, to commemorate the event. Here is more information about the 10th wedding anniversary.
By: Janice Wee