Fourteen Tips for Saving Money on Your Wedding Flowers

As an experienced wedding and special event florist, I'm often asked for floral advice. One of the most frequent questions I'm asked is, "How can I save money on my wedding flowers?" Over the years I've given a number of money-saving tips to brides, their mothers, their wedding planners, and anyone else involved in the budgeting and planning of their weddings. I've compiled a few of the most common ways to cut wedding floral costs and listed them below.

Money Saving Tip #1 - Keep the number of bridesmaids and other attendants to a minimum.
I'm always amazed by the number of brides who say they have a very tight floral budget yet they have a very large number of bridesmaids participating in their weddings. One of the most effective ways to immediately reduce floral expenses is to keep the number of attendants, particularly bridesmaids, to a minimum.

For an example of how the number of attendants can quickly inflate or reduce your wedding floral costs, take a look this comparison. A bride who selects an average $65 bouquet style for her 8 bridesmaids will spend $520 in bridesmaid bouquets alone, whereas, a bride who selects the same $65 bouquet for her 3 bridesmaids will spend only $195. That's a savings of $325!

2010 Wedding Trends

What Will Be the Hottest, Hippest, and Cutest 2010 Wedding Trends?

When predicting 2010 Wedding Trends, it seems almost too obvious to talk about the economy's impact. But before you jump to conclusions about how drab and cheap weddings are becoming, know that money is certainly not the only influence on style, fashion, or tradition. In fact, couples are getting more creative and feel more freedom to make unique choices.

Here's what I think will be hot next year:

Backyard Weddings at Home

While getting married at home isn't necessarily cheaper, it feels more personal, allows you to have a more intimate affair, and doesn't feel ostentatious. The economy means not only that people want to spend less money, but also that they feel guilty when they do spend money. A backyard event not only helps to put your guests at ease, but also allows you to make more casual, less expensive choices elsewhere. For example, a barbeque picnic feels more appropriate at home than it would at a country club.

Honeymoon on a Budget

15 simple ways to save money on your honeymoon

No one wants to skimp on their honeymoon. Posh accommodations, intimate meals, and soothing massages rank high on the wish list of virtually every newlywed, but most people don't have an unlimited expense account. No need to take the backpack-and-hostel route -- just focus on these five areas to cut down your costs.
The Planning

A little legwork early in your engagement goes a long way toward balancing your budget.

1. Consider a travel agent
It's easy to find a flight and book a hotel over the Internet, so the idea of working with a travel agent might seem antiquated. While it's not for everyone, Tim Leffel, author of Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, observes that a travel agent can save money for those who don't have a specific destination in mind. "If you just want to go to a nice Caribbean island and stay in a hotel on the beach, agents can often find deals that you might not run across yourself." So if your heart's set on the Four Seasons in Nevis, use the Web. If you're open to any number of islands and resorts, see what a travel agent has to offer.

Jamaica Wedding Destination Guide

Just about every Caribbean island offers the natural lure of sun-filled days on white-sand beaches gently lapped by an azure sea. But for travellers in search of a rich cultural experience in a setting of extraordinary beauty, Jamaica presents a fascinating diversity of options.
Much of Jamaica's land rises more than 1,000 feet above sea level. The celebrated Blue Mountains, famed for their fine coffee, are actually made up of two ranges, the Central Range, in the northern section, and the Port Royal Mountains that rise above the Liguanea Plain, just north of Kingston. Forests are rich in flora and fauna, and a remarkable number of imaginatively landscaped gardens offer colourful relaxation spots for a restful break.

Water sports run the gamut from sailing and yachting to deep-sea fishing. The island's reefs are home to several sunken ships which have become home to huge families of tropical fish and favourite locations for scuba divers. Coral caves, tunnels and steep canyons overlook waters rich in all variety of tropical fish. The land is punctuated by cascading waterways and fast-flowing rivers, with several mineral springs of therapeutic value. River rafting is especially good on the Martha Brae and the Rio Grande. At Dolphin Cove, visitors can swim with a family of bottle-nose dolphins or visit with rays, eels and sharks.

Why Roses?

Roses are-plain and simple-the quintessential wedding flower. A universal symbol of love and beauty, they are at once classic and contemporary, omnipresent yet never overdone, ever current yet steeped in history. There were 20,000 cream-color roses at the wedding of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. More recently, brides are finding Carmen Electra's luscious deep red rose bouquet to die for. Why? Roses are synonymous with romance. More elegant than daisies, less pretentious than French tulips, and more affordable than orchids...

Roses are Symbolic...

Open any romance novel, look at any romantic painting, and it's clear that throughout the ages writers, poets, artists, and others have used the rose as a metaphor for undying love, beauty, and passion. But why? It has been cited that Chloris -- the Greek Goddess of Flowers -- created the rose out of a lifeless nymph. In the creation, Chloris called upon Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, to bless the nymph with beauty; Dionysus, the God of Wine, to give her a sweet scent; and the three Graces to bestow charm, brightness, and joy upon her. Then Zephyr, the West Wind, blew away clouds so that Apollo, the Sun God, could make the flower bloom. Voila! A rose and symbol of beauty was born.

Interfaith Weddings: 8 Planning Tips

Planning an interfaith ceremony can be tricky. You'll likely face three major challenges: finding an officiant; combining two sets of traditions without upsetting your families too much; and creating a ceremony that reflects your commitment and your common values. If you have two different religions, these issues can take on the complexity of an international summit. How can you prevent a religious roadblock?

1. Have a Long Engagement

Take an entire year (or longer) to identify and work on reconciling issues likely to arise during your marriage. The issue of religion -- its role in your wedding, marriage, and future family -- should be examined very closely. Discuss the religious practices you would like to continue observing, especially when you have children. Nothing need be set in stone, but it's important to be open about your expectations for the future.

2. Gather Information
Take courses in each other's religions. Even if you don't intend to practice either religion at home, the study will give you a greater understanding of each other's beliefs and assumptions.

3. Go for Counseling
Consult clergy from each of your religions, preferably someone with training in family counseling, to help you two discuss the issues you face. You could also contact a family planning organization or therapist for objective pre-wedding counseling.

4. Be Patient With Parents
If the folks are having a hard time dealing with the religious differences, try to understand that they are mourning for their own unfulfilled expectations.
Give them time to adjust to the idea, and try not to get defensive.

5. Visit Each Other's Family
Visit early, visit often. Interfaith marriage necessitates a partial "moving in" to another faith or culture. Spending time with each other's parents can be a good introductory course in what to expect.

6. Find the Right Officiant(s)
Choose an officiant (or two) who makes both of you feel comfortable and who believes in your union. Ask around -- chances are that other interfaith couples in your area have already searched for (and found) local officiants willing to perform interfaith marriages.

7. Include Both Faiths -- And Both Families
Early in the process, listen to both families' views and expectations for your wedding day. You and your sweetie should then decide how to proceed -- and lovingly (or at least nicely) discuss your choices with your families. Be open and honest with everyone from the start, so they know what you're planning and why. Many couples create a wedding program that includes explanations and transliterations of specific religious customs, so family and friends can understand and participate in unfamiliar traditions.

8. Personalize Your Ceremony
Take great care in planning the ceremony. Some interfaith couples choose to follow tradition closely, while others stray from convention. Your officiant(s) can help you design a ceremony that works for you. Work together to select readings and rituals that are significant to both of you. This tough-but-worthwhile process will do much more than solidify wedding-day plans -- you'll get a head start learning to compromise, the golden rule of marriage.

-- The Knot

source by : www.wedding.theknot.com

41 Ways to Personalize Your Ceremony

Significant and emotional, saying I do is the most important part of your wedding day. So shouldn't your ceremony be just as unique as the party? We went right to the experts for the most inspiring ceremonial touches around: that's right, real couples like you! These brides and grooms turn the standard ceremony into something spectacular.






1. Lemonade Stand
Paige and Marc, who wed on a ranch, chose a lemon theme to ensure a cheery celebration. Just before the ceremony, the couple served lemonade in big glass jars to quench guests' thirst under the hot summer sun.

2. Unity Sand
At their destination beach wedding, Lisa and Mike, who both spent many summers under the boardwalk, extinguished the unity candle idea and instead chose to combine symbolic cups of sand from their respective hometowns.

3. Breezy Read
Summer brides, take note: Jennifer and David's fan-shaped wedding programs did double duty listing the wedding party and ceremony details-and cooling off guests.

4. Hung out to Dry
Guests crossing a bridge to Becky and Aaron's ceremony had a good chuckle at the couple's childhood photos strung along a clothesline.

5. Shoeless Suitor
When Suzanne and Tripp's Jewish ceremony concluded, the "boot boy" presented a barefoot Tripp with yes, a boot, so the groom could smash the glass at their ceremony. Mazel tov!

6. Irish Blessing
Pamela and Tom's ceremony ended with the blessing of a Celtic cross, brought back from a family trip, which now hangs in their home.

7. Lucky Lady
When it was time for Elisa and David to exchange their self-written vows, the best man flipped a coin to see who would go first (it was the groom!).

8. Bribing the Bearer
Cristina and Mike's two-year-old ring bearer was a little aisle shy. So the groom did what anyone would-bribed him with candy. From the altar, Mike flashed a bag of jellybeans to coax the young boy down the aisle. Naturally, it worked.

9. Send & Deliver
Blakely and Chris' gorgeous hand-sewn programs not only included details about the wedding party (including a lengthy children's procession) and Greek Orthodox traditions, it listed their new contact information for guests to keep in touch!

10. Ceremony Cheers
Take the toast up a notch with a champagne cocktail. At Elaine and Kevin's wedding, guests were given glasses of bubbly garnished with strawberries as they entered the ceremony space.

11. Exceptional Pets
Who says weddings aren't for the dogs? Animal lovers Clayton and Andrew asked the bride's mom to escort two four-legged friends, outfitted with flowers, down the aisle.

12. Homemade Huppah
From the handcrafted woodworking of Meet the Parents fame to treasured heirloom quilts, our brides get pretty crafty with the traditional Jewish huppah. Our favorite sentimental touch? Joanna and Scott sewed together old handkerchiefs from all eight of their grandparents to create their wedding canopy.

13. Baker's Duo
Andrea and John gave rise to a new tradition: Several days before their Catholic ceremony, the couple got busy in the kitchen and baked the communion bread themselves.

14. Welcome Committee
In lieu of a receiving line, Maribeth and Erik threw tradition out the door and greeted guests arriving at the church. Even though many were surprised to see the bride before the ceremony, it helped calm Maribeth's down-the-aisle stage fright.

15. Personal Petals
Elizabeth honored her deceased father, a huge University of Tennessee fan, with a bouquet of bright orange roses-the school's signature color.

16. Holiday Spirit
Ebenezer Scrooge definitely didn't make the cut on this guest list. Before the start to Amy and Shawn's Christmas celebration, guests were welcomed into the barn where the ceremony was held with hot cocoa, holiday cookies, and Christmas carols.

17. Fountain of Youth
Emily and Sean stocked a child's red wagon with monogrammed water bottles and tied a glass to every seat at their outdoor ceremony.

18. Not-So Empty Nest
For their intimate garden-theme wedding, Joiye and Gino's rings were nestled in a delicate bird's nest woven with pale peach roses and green ribbons.

19. Bug Off
Rachel and Chris made sure guests were well equipped for the outdoor ceremony with a welcome basket filled with bug spray.

20. Exit with a Pop
Following a performance by a quartet of professional singers, actors Kendra and Eric exited the church in a shower of rather fitting theater popcorn. At Lauren and Scott's ceremony, guests were handed personalized kazoos and party horns to blow on the steps of the church.

21. Floating Flowers

Gerbera daisies given to guests at Julie and James' ceremony were later released into the nearby river. Throughout the outdoor celebration, the bobbing blooms meandered down the lazy river.

22. Paper Magic

To adorn the ceremony space, Ko's mother (despite arthritis problems) folded 1,001 white paper cranes-a traditional Japanese gift symbolizing her special wishes for the couple-over the course of his and Pamela's two-year engagement.

23. Heirloom Detail

Elizabeth asked her mother, a renowned florist, to delicately weave the bride's deceased grandmother's handkerchief into the wrap around the stems of her bouquet.

24. Seasonal Sprinkle

Be sure to greet the season. Perfect for Lourie and Carlos' October wedding, the flower girl scattered dried oak leaves to pave the way for the bridal party.

25. Streaky Cheeks

Kristine and Andrew prepared for emotional wedding tears and provided guests with tissue packages wrapped in vellum that was printed with inspirational quotations.

26. Tandem Takeoff

After exchanging vows, creative couple Erin and Peter circled loved ones on an old red Schwinn tandem bike decorated with roses-before riding off to the reception two miles away!

27. Signature Sounds

Who says you have to stick with classical ceremony music? Kristyn and Joshua walked down the aisle to the opening song from Edward Scissorhands. At Irene and Matthew's wedding, the bride's grandmother played "Amazing Grace" on the saw.

28. Recycle the Aisle

Savvy budgeters Ava and Sean reused their ceremony aisle markers-bright bouquets of peonies, blue hydrangeas, and Anna roses in moss cones-for reception centerpieces.

29. Crowd Pleaser

After their ceremony, Lee and Jeff asked all the guests to linger for a group photo that was later used as the cover for the couple's thank-you cards.

30. Wise Words

Mandy and Chris borrowed something pretty big for their wedding-they recited the same personalized vows that her parents had exchanged 40 years before.

31. Relay Race

And here's the handoff...along the winding ceremony path, Shyra's three brothers and her father stood at various intervals, waiting to escort her to the gazebo altar one by one.

32. Shady Ending

At the end of Sandra and Kevin's seaside service, all the women were given ivory Japanese parasols to shade them from the sun. Sandra carried a square-shape version, hand-painted with cherry blossoms.

33. All Aboard!

Suzanne and her bridal party set sail for the lakeside ceremony with the groom's mother at the helm. Once they docked, the women rang a cowbell to signal their arrival and waited for the groomsmen to ring back that they were ready for the procession to begin.

34. Artsy Aisle

Alyson knew she was at the right church as she walked down the aisle on a runner, beautifully hand-painted with flower vines-as well as her and Michael's names.

35. Sentimental Stones

Each guest picked up a small stone before the ceremony that Piper and JJ hand-selected from meaningful places-where they met, where they live now, and where they married-and held it during the service to make a special wish. The couple later collected the stones in a large glass vase to display in their home.

36. Home Grown

Megan and Lance, who exchanged vows under a big maple tree at her childhood home, lined the grassy aisle with flowers collected from her grandparents' garden.

37. Cool Cultures

In a nod to Sarah and Mark's diverse backgrounds, the groom carried a grain of wheat in his pocket (representing good luck and wealth in Germany) and wore a traditional lei in honor of their Hawaiian heritage.

38. Blazing Saddles

Forget the white limo! Emily's father and friends arrived at the ceremony grove on horseback, followed by the bride and her mother in a more gown-friendly horse and carriage.

39. Refrigerator Art

Jenny and Scott's ceremony programs honored a treasured attic find-they featured a picture that Scott had drawn when he was five of the mountains that coincidentally overlooked their outdoor wedding site.

40. Up In Arms

With only one parent (the bride's mother) between them still living, Michelle and Leland thought it would be great to start and end the ceremony arm-in-arm-the couple walked together over the vast lawns of the ceremony site and down the aisle of the tiny chapel.

41. Surprise Kiss

When it was time for James to kiss his bride Zoe, her sister pulled a popgun out of her knee-high stockings and shot a burst of confetti at the newlyweds just before a release of butterflies marked the end of the ceremony.

-- Kathleen Murray

source by : www.wedding.theknot.com

Bellagio Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas

What to expect at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino

When Steve Wynn created the Bellagio his intention was to create the most luxurious hotel on the planet. He did not fall far from his mark, from the marble floors to the huge skylights and the extensive gardens you forget you’re in Las Vegas. If you include the world class dining experiences and the Cirque du Soliel “O” show you realize you might not care about the rooms. Actually, they are incredible. Bellagio is about opulence and the rooms are roomy, tasteful and a little slice of heaven. All at a price, the Bellagio is one of the most expensive hotels in Las Vegas.

Get more details on the Bellagio Hotel

What you might like at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino:

Probably in the top three when it comes to rooms in Las Vegas, they are everything you would expect for top dollar. The very best restaurants on the strip can be found at Bellagio including Le Cirque, Fix, Jasmine and my favorite Olives. The restaurants at Bellagio have no comparison elsewhere on the strip. The pool area is huge and noticeably absent are the large group of teenagers that you see at other resorts.

Read Reviews of Las Vegas Hotels

What you might not like at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino:

The cost, everything at Bellagio comes at a price, room rates are high and restaurants are extremely expensive. I hate to admit that it’s worth it, but it might be. The resort as a whole might come off as a bit pretentious and that is possibly because they aim to please those with a lot more money.

Have you stayed in a Las Vegas hotel? What is your opinion? Review this hotel here.

My suggestion:

One of my favorite things to do is have lunch at Olives, on the patio, and watch the Bellagio fountains. The food at Olives is an experience in itself and you cannot find a more romantic place in all of Las Vegas.

Location: Bellagio Hotel and Casino
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
NV 89109
See a map of the Las Vegas Strip

Contact: 1-888-987-6667 , See their website

Rooms at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino:3000+ rooms and they make most others in Las Vegas look like cardboard boxes. The restrooms have huge tubs that invite long relaxing baths. The marble floors tingle your feet and the soft pillows massage your head. Put on a Bellagio robe and look out the huge windows overlooking the fountains. It is an experience. Price almost always hover over $150 per night.

Check Room Rates

Pictures: Take a photo tour of the Bellagio, Hotel Pictures

Restaurants at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino:., Restaurants, Michael Mina, Cafe Bellagio, Sensi, Circo, Le Cirque, Jasmine, Noodles, Olives, Fix, Picasso, Prime, Yellowtail and The Buffet.

Entertainment: "O" from Cirque du Soleil

Nightclubs, Lounges and Bars: Bankt, Petrossian, Caramel, Fontana Lounge, the bar at Fix
Check out the nightclubs of Las Vegas

Wedding Chapel: Yes. Wedding Chapel

Shopping:,Shopping Resources Via Bellagio, high end specialty shops

Casino/Sports Book: Yes, Poker room is spacious and very elegant. It spreads a ton of high limit games and some decent mid-range games. Daily $500 tournament as well

source by: Zeke Quazada

Honeymoon in Vegas

So you get married and you figure, "Why leave Las Vegas?" Have your very own Honeymoon in Las Vegas and think about one of these hotels for your romantic stay.

Need a Deal to Vegas? Compare Prices on Las Vegas Hotels with Kayak.com, Expedia.com or Southwest Airlines. They should give you a good idea of what you can expect to spend on a Las Vegas vacation.

Bellagio Hotel and Casino for Your Honeymoon in Las Vegas

I know predictable, I pick the hotel that is known for being very luxurious and extremely high end. Well, it's just so nice and so luxurious I would be fooling myself if I did not list the Bellagio as the one place where almost everyone would have the Honeymoon of their dreams. Order some room service, pop the champagne and fill the tub with bubble bath. Need I say more? Sure, it would cost a hefty price but realistically you should have the mindset of the couple who says this is a once in a lifetime experience. Marriage is forever, right? Read review

A Honeymoon at Binion's Hotel and Casino

You want old school when it comes to your honeymoon in Las Vegas, I can appreciate that. Just you and your partner and a few days of the Las Vegas magic the way it was intended to be enjoyed. I got it, I'm all over it. I completely understand what you're saying. Binion's is what Las Vegas was once like and it still holds a special place in the hearts of plenty of Las Vegas veterans. Grab a bucket of ice and couple of beers and sit at the roof top pool and enjoy the view. Old school honeymoon after a shotgun wedding!

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay for an Unforgetable Honeymoon in Las Vegas

If you think you need space for the recreational activities that you may take part in while on your honeymoon might I suggest THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. It is very nice, as upscale as you will need and set just right for a perfect Honeymoon in Las Vegas. You might enjoy the very large restrooms with spacious showers and a small flat screen television.

Go to Paris Las Vegas for Your Honeymoon

If romance is defined by having great meals or taking in the incredible views of the strips Paris Las Vegas is the perfect spot for you and your partner. Spend an evening at the Eiffel Tower restaurant with a view of the Bellagio fountains and fine bottle of red and you'll fall even more in love.
(source by:Zeke Quazada)

Anguilla Wedding Destination Guide

Country Overview

Anguilla, British West Indies - the island that is 'tranquility, wrapped in blue' - chosen by visionaries as the destination of choice for luxurious, five-star resorts; and by all visitors for the pervasive quality found in each level of accommodations.

Anguilla's couples seeking a special, romantic getaway find a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean - some say the world! Tying the knot on Anguilla is as easy, relaxed and romantic as the island itself. You can marry on a cay, on a boat, at sunset, in a church, on a beach, in a restaurant or on the grounds of a luxurious resort, your own private villa, or a picturesque Caribbean hideaway hotel.{Credit: Anguilla Tourist Board}

Entry Requirements
Passports required by all nationals. Return ticket necessary.
Visas are required for certain countries. Immigration office - (264) 497-2451. Return or onward ticket necessary.

Tourism Offices
The Tourism Offices can often help provide specific details about wedding planning in Anguilla.

Anguilla Tourist Board Coronation Avenue Anguilla
Tel: 264 497 2759 Fax: 264 497 2710
Email: atbtour@anguillanet.com Web: www.anguilla-vacation.com

Anguilla Marriage Requirements

The information below outlines the marriage requirements for getting married in Anguilla.Visitors from America, Europe and any country that are allowed entry without special permission are invited to come to Anguilla for their wedding and only need be in the country for two working days before the ceremony.

Documents required for a "special" marriage license are:

• proof of citizenship such as a valid passport or birth certificate and driver's license with photo.proof of divorce or death certificate is required.

If one partner resides in Anguilla for at least fifteen days before the date of marriage, the cost of the license is US$40. If the stay is shorter, then the cost of the license is $284 stamp duty. Two witnesses are required.

Registrars Offices

The registrar's office should be contacted for specific rules regarding planning your destination or beach wedding in Anguilla. They will also provide information regarding marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Judicial Department, The Valley, Anguilla,
Tel. 264 497-2377

Anguilla Destination Wedding Quick Facts

The information below gives you those essential facts and figures that can make or break your dream trip. Don't forget to pack your travel adaptors!

General Information:
National Flag :

Anguilla Flag

Capital City:The Valley
Population: 11,147
Language:English
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar. US Dollar
Electricity:110 volts
Gratuity : 10% Gratuity, 10% Gov't Tax
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time: GMT - 4 hours

Travel & Transportation:
Airports: Wallblake Airport
Ferries:
To St Martin; leaves Anguilla every 30 minutes from 7:30am.
To St Barts: leaves Anguilla 3 times per day.

Departure Taxes:
At airport: US$10.00.
At ferry: US$2.00

Anguilla Wedding Destination Maps
Location and Country Maps

The map below shows the location of Anguilla within the Caribbean.


source by: islanbrides.com